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Change in Knowledge of and Adherence to the Low‐Sodium Diet after Nutrition Education with a Registered Dietitian (LB344)
Author(s) -
Sarcinella Kali,
Moser Marisa,
Holland Sarah,
Tangney Christy,
Betz Melanie,
Pisani Barbara,
Mendez Jose,
Rasmussen Heather
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.lb344
Subject(s) - medicine , sodium , guideline , taste , dietary sodium , low sodium diet , nutrition education , patient education , high sodium , low sodium , family medicine , gerontology , food science , blood pressure , chemistry , renin–angiotensin system , organic chemistry , pathology
While a low‐sodium diet is recommended for heart failure (HF) patients, many lack both knowledge of and adherence to this diet. It is unknown if education from a registered dietitian (RD) will improve knowledge or adherence. Therefore, 33 HF patients 蠅 18 years old completed a sodium knowledge questionnaire, as well as a questionnaire to assess adherence to a low‐sodium (2,000 mg) diet before and after education by an RD. The time between repeat assessments was (mean ± SD) 3.9 ± 2.3 months. The sample was middle‐aged (57 ± 15 years), 64% male, and 61% Black. Following RD education, 18 patients (54.5%) increased knowledge (increase in median score from 7 to 10, maximum score of 10), and 14 had decreased sodium intake (>500 mg/day from a baseline intake of 3,085 ± 1,276 mg). More patients knew the sodium guideline after education (increase from 30% to 55%, p<0.05). In addition, significantly more HF patients were compliant to the 2,000 mg/day guideline after education (24.2% and 45.5% pre‐and post‐education, respectively; p = 0.05). Barriers relating to taste and expense of low‐sodium foods decreased from 30% to 21%, and 24% to 12%, respectively. Education by an RD increased both sodium knowledge and adherence to a low‐sodium diet. Therefore, the RD should be an integral component of HF provider team.