scholarly journals The feasibility of a peer support intervention to encourage adoption and maintenance of a Mediterranean diet in established community groups at increased Cardiovascular Disease risk - the TEAM-MED EXTEND study: a pilot Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-39
Author(s):  
RF O’Neill ◽  
L McGowan ◽  
CT McEvoy ◽  
SM Wallace ◽  
SE Moore ◽  
...  

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a peer support intervention to encourage adoption and maintenance of a Mediterranean Diet (MD) in established community groups where existing social support may assist the behaviour change process. Four established community groups with members at increased cardiovascular disease risk and homogenous in gender, were recruited and randomised to receive either a 12-month Peer Support (PS) intervention (PSG) (n=2) or a Minimal Support intervention (educational materials only) (MSG) (n=2). The feasibility of the intervention was assessed using recruitment and retention rates, assessing the variability of outcome measures (primary outcome: adoption of a MD at 6 months (using a Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS)), and process evaluation measures including qualitative interviews. Recruitment rates for community groups (n=4/8), participants (n=31/51) and peer supporters (n=6/14) were 50%, 61% and 43% respectively. The recruitment strategy faced several challenges with recruitment and retention of participants, leading to a smaller sample than intended. At 12-months, a 65% and 76.5% retention rate for PSG and MSG participants was observed respectively. A >2-point increase in MDS was observed in both the PSG and the MSG at 6-months, maintained at 12-months. An increase in MD adherence was evident in both groups during follow-up, however, the challenges faced in recruitment and retention suggest a definitive study of the peer support intervention using current methods is not feasible and refinement based on the current feasibility study should be incorporated. Lessons learned during the implementation of this intervention will help inform future interventions in this area.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-37
Author(s):  
Claire T. McEvoy ◽  
Sarah E. Moore ◽  
Christina M. Erwin ◽  
Meropi Kontogianni ◽  
Sara M Wallace ◽  
...  

Abstract Adhering to a Mediterranean Diet (MD) is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study aimed to explore methods of increasing MD adoption in a non-Mediterranean population at high risk of CVD, including assessing the feasibility of a developed peer support intervention. The Trial to Encourage Adoption and Maintenance of a MEditerranean Diet (TEAM-MED) was a 12-month pilot parallel group RCT involving individuals aged ≥40 y, with low MD adherence, who were overweight, and had an estimated CVD risk ≥20% over ten years. It explored three interventions, a peer support group, a dietician-led support group and a minimal support group to encourage dietary behaviour change and monitored variability in Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) over time and between the intervention groups, alongside measurement of markers of nutritional status and cardiovascular risk. 118 individuals were assessed for eligibility, and 75 (64%) were eligible. After 12 months there was a retention rate of 69% (PSG 59%; DSG 88%; MSG 63%). For all participants, increases in MDS were observed over 12 months (p<0.001), both in original MDS data and when imputed data were used. Improvements in BMI, HbA1c levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the population as a whole. This pilot study has demonstrated that a non-Mediterranean adult population at high CVD risk can make dietary behaviour change over a 12-month period towards a MD. The study also highlights the feasibility of a peer support intervention to encourage MD behaviour change amongst this population group and will inform a definitive trial.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. e67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekavi N. Georgoysopoulou ◽  
Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos ◽  
Christos Pitsavos ◽  
Aikaterini Kalogeropoulou ◽  
Maria Ntertimani ◽  
...  

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