08 Oct Dietary Interventions Depend On Community Nutrition Environment
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Wenjun Li PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine (Biostatistics)
University of Massachusetts Medical School of Medicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Medical Research: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Li: The study discovered that the effectiveness of dietary interventions is significantly influenced by the presence of a supportive community nutrition environment.
Medical Research: What was most surprising about the results?
Dr. Li: The strength of the influence of community environment on the likelihood of positive dietary behavioral changes is surprisingly strong, even among the participants who were highly motivated to improve their diet. Such influence appeared to be consistent among participants, men or women, having a college degree or not, and relatively wealthier or not.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Li: Environmental influences on the effectiveness should be carefully considered when delivering behavioral interventions. Approaches to overcoming such barriers may need to be included as a critical component of the interventions.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Li: Because changing the environment alone cannot produce results and efforts to try to change a person will be very limited without improving the environment, both aspects should be pursued at the same time with coordinated efforts. Future research should explore such integrated approaches.
Citation:
Access to Healthy Food Stores Modifies Effect of a Dietary Intervention
Publication stage: In Press Corrected Proof
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Published online: October 6, 2014
Last Updated on October 8, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD