Initial data from a first-of-its-kind University of Cincinnati clinical research study aimed at increasing diet quality and decreasing cardiovascular risk shows positive results.
The study, called Supermarket and Web-Based Intervention Targeting Nutrition (SuperWIN), was a randomized, controlled trial that promotes a heart-healthy diet through nutrition counseling provided by a supermarket-based, registered dietitian within one of each participant's home grocery stores.
The trial is the result of a partnership between the university, UC Health, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Kroger Health, the health care division of the Kroger Co.
The research was published in the journal Nature Medicine.
"The additional health benefits demonstrated by dietitian consultations in the SuperWIN study continue to reiterate the importance of access to nutrition consultations by licensed dietitians," said Sarah Couch, PhD, in the Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the UC College of Allied Health Sciences and co-primary investigator of SuperWIN.
Cincinnati Children's oversaw the data management, statistical analysis and interpretation of study results and supported design of the overall study, interactive web-based reports for participants to review purchases and food intake and modeling.
Cincinnati Children's Schubert Research Clinic conducted dietary intake interviews with participants prior to the study and again after three and six months. Data collected from those interviews were used to estimate participants' usual food and nutrition intake and, ultimately, determine whether or how these measures changed by the end of the study.
"SuperWIN's findings highlight the positive impact retail dietitians can have on people trying to make healthful choices, and the unique role of the grocery store in simplifying those choices to impact health," said Taylor Newman, PhD, director of nutrition at Kroger Health. "The collaboration between the University of Cincinnati and Kroger Health is laying the groundwork to change the way people approach grocery shopping with a focus on health."
The SuperWIN clinical trial examined the independent effect of adding online shopping, home grocery delivery and nutrition applications on top of on-site, individualized, purchasing data-guided education and shopping practice. Those with training by the Kroger Health dietitians on these tools increased their DASH diet adherence even further.
Lead photo of Sarah Limbert, left, Kroger dietitian and UC graduate and Sarah Couch, PhD. Photo/provided
