The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge of and accordance with practices recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) guideline for Disorders of Lipid Metabolism (DLM). Questionnaires were completed by patients with dyslipidemia from an outpatient cardiology clinic at a large, urban medical center (n=51). Mean guideline knowledge score was 53.1±13.4% correct, with participants most knowledgeable about the ability of antioxidant-rich foods to reduce heart disease risk. Participants were least knowledgeable about omega-3 supplementation. Mean accordance score was 35.4±13.0%. Participants were most accordant with non-use of supplemental B vitamins and were least accordant with fish intake. Using chi-square and Spearman correlation analyses, there were no significant associations between knowledge and accordance variables (rs=0.175, P=0.219). Results indicate that participants had modest knowledge, but low accordance with a heart healthy diet. In addition to increasing knowledge, RDs should use counseling strategies focusing on behavior modification to increase accordance. |