Worcester Area Trial for Counseling in Hyperlipidemia (WATCH)
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
The WATCH intervention is a dietitian-based nutrition counseling and education program for adult patients with hyperlipidemia.
Hyperlipidemia is the elevation of fats, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood. Excess fat in the blood contributes to atherosclerosis and, because hyperlipidemia can be reversed, it is considered a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Participants in WATCH received both one-on-one counseling and attended group sessions with registered dietitians. The sessions used the American Heart Association diet and were designed to: 1) increase patients' awareness of the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease; 2) provide patients with nutrition knowledge to promote the lowering of blood cholesterol levels; 3) increase patients' confidence in their ability to make dietary changes; and 4) enhance patient's skills needed for long-term changes in eating patterns.
Group sessions lasted for two hours and each participant attended two sessions. Individual sessions were 45-minutes in length and each participant attends one individual session at the beginning of the program and one individual session after the two group sessions. Individual sessions were focused on practical skills for reducing total and saturated fat intake, reducing cholesterol intake, and creating dietary behavior change goals.
Hyperlipidemia is the elevation of fats, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood. Excess fat in the blood contributes to atherosclerosis and, because hyperlipidemia can be reversed, it is considered a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Participants in WATCH received both one-on-one counseling and attended group sessions with registered dietitians. The sessions used the American Heart Association diet and were designed to: 1) increase patients' awareness of the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease; 2) provide patients with nutrition knowledge to promote the lowering of blood cholesterol levels; 3) increase patients' confidence in their ability to make dietary changes; and 4) enhance patient's skills needed for long-term changes in eating patterns.
Group sessions lasted for two hours and each participant attended two sessions. Individual sessions were 45-minutes in length and each participant attends one individual session at the beginning of the program and one individual session after the two group sessions. Individual sessions were focused on practical skills for reducing total and saturated fat intake, reducing cholesterol intake, and creating dietary behavior change goals.
Goal / Mission
To decrease total and saturated fat intake, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and body weight.
Impact
The dietitian-delivered intervention effectively improved the care of patients with hyperlipidemia.
Results / Accomplishments
Participants in the WATCH intervention who attended three or more of the total four sessions were compared to participants who attended less than three sessions one year after the initial individual visit.
Participants who returned for three or four of the sessions had reduced total and saturated fat intake, reduced serum cholesterol levels, and they experienced a significant decrease in body weight compared to participants who attended one or two sessions. These reductions correspond to roughly a 22% relative change from baseline in those attending three or four sessions.
Participants who returned for three or four of the sessions had reduced total and saturated fat intake, reduced serum cholesterol levels, and they experienced a significant decrease in body weight compared to participants who attended one or two sessions. These reductions correspond to roughly a 22% relative change from baseline in those attending three or four sessions.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Primary Contact

Ira Ockene, M.D.
University of Massachusetts Medical School
55 Lake Avenue North, S3-856
Worcester, MA 01655
(508) 856-3907
Ira.Ockene@umassmed.edu
http://profiles.umassmed.edu/profiles/display/1327...
University of Massachusetts Medical School
55 Lake Avenue North, S3-856
Worcester, MA 01655
(508) 856-3907
Ira.Ockene@umassmed.edu
http://profiles.umassmed.edu/profiles/display/1327...
Topics
Health / Physical Activity
Health / Other Conditions
Health / Other Conditions
Organization(s)
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Location
Massachusetts
For more details
Target Audience
Adults