OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention for changing dietary intake, particularly energy, fat and fibre intakes, in the intervention group (IG) compared with the control group (CG).

DESIGN

Randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

IG (n 50) and CG (n 46). The IG was offered seven group sessions, including one cooking class, over a period of 4 months. The participants filled out 4 d food diaries at the start, mid and end of the study.

SUBJECTS

Iraqi-born residents of Malmö, Sweden, at increased risk for developing diabetes.

RESULTS

At baseline, participants' fat intake was high (40 % of total energy intake (E%)). The predefined study goals of obtaining <30 E% from fat and ≥15 g fibre/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) were met by very few individuals. In the IG v. the CG, the proportion of individuals obtaining <40 E% from fat (48·4 v. 34·6 %, P=0·65), <10 E% from saturated fat (32·3 v. 11·5 %, P=0·14) and ≥10 g fibre/4184 kJ (45·2 v. 26·9 %, P=0·46) appeared to be higher at the last visit, although the differences were statistically non-significant. A trend towards decreased mean daily intakes of total energy (P=0·03), carbohydrate (P=0·06), sucrose (P=0·02) and fat (P=0·02) was observed within the IG. Differences in changes over time between the groups did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Although no significant differences were observed in the two groups, our data indicate that this culturally adapted programme has the potential to modify dietary intake in Middle Eastern immigrants. The high fat intake in this group should be addressed.