Effectiveness and easiness of adherence to behavioural guidelines for diet and lifestyle changes for cholesterol‐lowering: the Increasing Adherence of Consumers to Diet & Lifestyle Changes to Lower (LDL) Cholesterol (ACT) randomised controlled trial

Background The present study aimed to assess perceived effectiveness and easiness of behavioural diet and lifestyle changes related to dyslipidaemia given by physicians or dieticians as a result of diet and lifestyle modifications being difficult to maintain. Methods One‐hundred hypercholesterolaemic individuals were enrolled in a parallel, randomised 6‐week study. Fifty were advised by dietitians (dietitian group: DG) in six weekly face‐to‐face behavioural therapy sessions and 50 received standard advice from physicians (physician group: PG). All individuals were followed‐up for another 6 weeks under real‐life conditions. Questionnaires regarding perceived effectiveness, easiness of adhering, forecasted and actual adherence to specific cholesterol‐lowering advice were completed. Results Scores of perceived effectiveness of advice for sufficient exercise, limiting saturated fat (SFA) intake, eating fish twice a week, consuming plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and limiting salt intake different scientifically (all P