Successful dietary changes in a cardiovascular risk reduction intervention are differentially predicted by biopsychosocial characteristics

Background. Psychosocial factors have demonstrated associations with both prognosis of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as the development of CVD. Psychosocial distress may influence health behaviors (such as eating behavior) that increase cardiovascular risk. Method. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the role of psychosocial distress on intake of high-fat snacks and fruits and vegetables in 740 men and women, identified as high risk for cardiovascular disease, who took part in a 1-year cardiovascular risk factor reduction program. Results. Participants who were more successful at decreasing or staying at an optimal level of high-fat food intake had lower levels of baseline total psychosocial distress and worry and decreases in total psychosocial distress. A greater success rate at increasing fruit and vegetable intake or staying at an optimal level of fruit and vegetable intake was associated with changes in Type A and competing behaviors. Conclusions. Results from these analyses suggest that baseline levels and changes in psychosocial variables, particularly decreased psychosocial distress, were associated with improvements in healthful eating behaviors. Further work may provide information that could be useful in tailoring health behavior interventions to specific subgroups based on psychosocial characteristics, initial health behaviors, and demographic characteristics.