Effect of an Internet-based, personalized nutrition randomized trial on dietary changes associated with the Mediterranean diet: the Food4Me Study

Livingstone, K. M. et al. (2016) Effect of an Internet-based, personalized nutrition randomized trial on dietary changes associated with the Mediterranean diet: the Food4Me Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 104(2), pp. 288-297. (doi: 10.3945/​ajcn.115.129049) (PMID:27357094)

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the efficacy of personalized nutrition (PN) interventions for improving consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet). Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effect of a PN intervention on dietary changes associated with the MedDiet. Design: Participants (n = 1607) were recruited into a 6-mo, Internet-based, PN randomized controlled trial (Food4Me) designed to evaluate the effect of PN on dietary change. Participants were randomly assigned to receive conventional dietary advice [control; level 0 (L0)] or PN advice on the basis of current diet [level 1 (L1)], diet and phenotype [level 2 (L2)], or diet, phenotype, and genotype [level 3 (L3)]. Dietary intakes from food-frequency questionnaires at baseline and at 6 mo were converted to a MedDiet score. Linear regression compared participant characteristics between high (>5) and low (≤5) MedDiet scores. Differences in MedDiet scores between treatment arms at month 6 were evaluated by using contrast analyses. Results: At baseline, high MedDiet scorers had a 0.5 lower body mass index (in kg/m2; P = 0.007) and a 0.03 higher physical activity level (P = 0.003) than did low scorers. MedDiet scores at month 6 were greater in individuals randomly assigned to receive PN (L1, L2, and L3) than in controls (PN compared with controls: 5.20 ± 0.05 and 5.48 ± 0.07, respectively; P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in MedDiet scores at month 6 between PN advice on the basis of L1 compared with L2 and L3. However, differences in MedDiet scores at month 6 were greater in L3 than in L2 (L3 compared with L2: 5.63 ± 0.10 and 5.38 ± 0.10, respectively; P = 0.029). Conclusions: Higher MedDiet scores at baseline were associated with healthier lifestyles and lower adiposity. After the intervention, MedDiet scores were greater in individuals randomly assigned to receive PN than in controls, with the addition of DNA-based dietary advice resulting in the largest differences in MedDiet scores. Although differences were significant, their clinical relevance is modest.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Supported by the European Commission under the Food, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Biotechnology Theme of the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (265494).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Celis, Dr Carlos
• Authors: Livingstone, K. M., Celis-Morales, C., Navas-Carretero, S., San-Cristobal, R., Macready, A. L., Fallaize, R., Forster, H., Woolhead, C., O'Donovan, C. B., Marsaux, C. F.M., Kolossa, S., Tsirigoti, L., Lambrinou, C. P., Moschonis, G., Godlewska, M., Surwillo, A., Drevon, C. A., Manios, Y., Traczyk, I., Gibney, E. R., Brennan, L., Walsh, M. C., Lovegrove, J. A., Saris, W. H., Daniel, H., Gibney, M., Martinez, J. A., and Mathers, J. C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• Publisher: American Society for Nutrition
• ISSN: 0002-9165
• ISSN (Online): 1938-3207
• Published Online: 29 June 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 American Society for Nutrition
• First Published: First published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 104(2):288-297
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher