Impact of telenutrition protocols in a web-based nutrition counseling program on adult dietary practices: Randomized controlled pilto study

Francismayne B Santana; Nathan S Oliveira; Maycon George O Costa; Amanda Cristina S Campos Andrade; Marcela L Costa; Ana Carla Santos J Teles; Raquel S Mendes-Netto

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2023.108005

Impact of telenutrition protocols in a web-based nutrition counseling program on adult dietary practices: Randomized controlled pilto study

Patient Educ Couns. 2023 Oct 10:118:108005. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.108005. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Francismayne B Santana¹, Nathan S Oliveira², Maycon George O Costa¹, Amanda Cristina S Campos Andrade¹, Marcela L Costa³, Ana Carla Santos J Teles¹, Raquel S Mendes-Netto⁴

Affiliations

¹ Post-graduate Program in Nutrition Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil; Laboratory of Studies in Nutrition and Exercise, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil.
² Laboratory of Studies in Nutrition and Exercise, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil.
³ Laboratory of Studies in Nutrition and Exercise, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil; School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁴ Post-graduate Program in Nutrition Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil; Laboratory of Studies in Nutrition and Exercise, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil. Electronic address: raquel@academico.ufs.br.

PMID: 39491951
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.108005

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of two different telenutrition protocols on the dietary practices of adults.

Methods: This was a 12-week, randomized controlled trial, involving the application of different telenutrition protocols with online nutritional counseling. Two protocols were used, the multicomponent (MT), composed of multiple strategies combined, synchronously and asynchronously, and the traditional (TD), with only one synchronous strategy, in addition to the control group (CT). The primary outcome was assessed by the eating practices score.

Results: Eighty-six individuals participated, 35 in the MT group, 30 in the TD group, and 21 in the CT group. After 12 weeks, the MT and TD groups showed a significant increase in their eating practices score (p = 0.049), and both were different from the control (MT × CT: p < 0.001; η²: 0.21); (TD × CT: p = 0.002; η²: 0.21). The MT group showed significant changes in four items assessing eating practices, while the TD group showed significant results in two, both compared to the CT group.

Conclusion and practical implications: The multicomponent and traditional methodologies were effective in improving eating practices, with the combined methods standing out. The protocols tested may be useful to guide nutritionists regarding the methodologies in telenutrition.

Keywords: Dietary guides; Dietary habits; Telehealth; Telenutrition; Web-based intervention.