Nutritional Literacy and Diet Quality in Inner-city Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) (P04-109-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesPoor nutrition habits may cause progression of complications related to CKD and diabetes. We investigated diet quality and nutrition literacy in a population of CKD patients in an inner-City population. MethodsA random convenience sample of patients from an inner-city CKD (37), dialysis (23) and transplant clinic (31) were studied. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-hour food recall, analyzed using ASA24 software. Using these data, DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores were calculated. Nutritional literacy was assessed via the Newest Vital Signs toolkit (6 questions relating to a standardized food label). ResultsThere were 39 (43%) men and 52 (57%) women. Racial breakdown was 75 black, 3 white, 3 Hispanic and 11 other. Mean age was 62.6 ± 14.0 (range 18–90). 59 (65%) patients were foreign born (mean time in the US 35.4 ± 16.2 yrs). Mean BMI was 29.5 ± 6.7. The mean HEI score was 58.1 ± 12.4%, with a range from 31.4–86.7%. Less than 80% is scored as poor or needs improvement, and < 51% as poor. Only 3 pts (3%) scored > 80 with 35% scoring < 51%. The DASH score mean was 3.46 ± 0.86 on a scale of 1–10. Under 5 is considered poorly adherent. Mean nutrition literacy score was 1.93 ± 1.8. Only 17 (18.7%) patients had a nutritional literacy score indicating adequate nutritional literacy (4 or more out of 6 points), and > 80% of patients met the criteria for nutritional illiteracy (<4). 59 (68%) patients had reported receiving nutritional information from a doctor and 70 (81%) a dietician. 15 pts had seen a dietician in the past year and 41% (36) reported getting information from a friend or the Internet. 59 (66%) agreed with the statement “I maintain a high, quality, nutritious diet” although 74 (83%) believed that their diet could be improved. Low literacy pts were older (64.2 ± 13.1 vs 57.0 ± 9.8 yrs, P = 0.02, but did not differ for HEI score, income or education. ConclusionsIn our population: 1. HEI and DASH indices and nutritional literacy were low overall despite the majority reporting having received dietary counseling. 2. Most pts believed their diet to be healthy, but that it could be improved. 3. The relationship between diet quality and difficulty in reading food labels in inner-city patients with CKD should be studied with the aim of improving overall nutrition and long-term outcomes. Funding Sourcesnone.