Baseline characteristics of the study population
| Characteristics | Intervention (n=324) | Control (n=296) | P value |
| Age, years, mean (SD) | 51 (9) | 52 (9) | 0.18 |
| Years of education, median (IQR) | 8 (4) | 8 (4) | 0.48 |
| Socioeconomic level, n (%) | |||
| Low | 115 (35) | 101 (34) | 0.93 |
| Medium low | 115 (35) | 106 (36) | |
| Medium high | 94 (29) | 89 (30) | |
| Marital status, n (%) | |||
| Married or living together | 211 (65) | 210 (71) | 0.12 |
| Separated, single or widowed | 113 (35) | 86 (29) | |
| Employment status, n (%) | |||
| Full or part time (%) | 185 (57) | 153 (52) | 0.20 |
| Anthropometric and clinical variables; mean (SD) | |||
| BMI, kg/m2 | 29 (5) | 30 (6) | 0.40 |
| Waist, cm | 92 (13) | 92 (13) | 0.74 |
| Physical activity, MET min/wk, median (IQR) | 1040 (300–4350) | 1120 (300–5040) | 0.94 |
| Blood pressure, mm Hg | |||
| Systolic | 126 (20) | 131 (22) | 0.01 |
| Diastolic | 75 (10) | 77 (11) | 0.07 |
| Biochemical variables, mean(SD) | |||
| Total-cholesterol, mg/dL | 196 (38) | 195 (39) | 0.60 |
| LDL-C, mg/dL | 117 (31) | 115 (34) | 0.45 |
| Non-HDL, mg/dL | 151 (109) | 144 (38) | 0.31 |
| Glycaemia, mg/dL | 99 (46) | 97 (41) | 0.62 |
| CV risk factors, n (%) | |||
| Hypertension | 142 (44) | 141 (48) | 0.37 |
| Diabetes | 47 (15) | 44 (15) | 0.91 |
| Hyperlipidaemia | 192 (59) | 174 (59) | 0.93 |
| Obesity | 123 (38) | 133 (45) | 0.09 |
| Overweight | 262 (81) | 240 (81) | 1.0 |
| Smoking | 129 (40) | 108 (36) | 0.41 |
| Depressive symptoms | 65 (20) | 59 (20) | 1.0 |
| Menopause | 176 (54) | 177 (60) | 0.19 |
| Ideal CV metrics, n (%) | |||
| BMI <25 kg/m2 | 62 (19) | 56 (19) | 1.0 |
| Total cholesterol <200 mg/dL | 179 (55) | 167 (56) | 0.81 |
| Blood pressure <120/80 mm Hg | 141(44) | 101(34) | 0.02 |
| Fasting blood glucose <100 mg/dL | 270 (83) | 237 (80) | 0.30 |
| Non-smoking | 195 (60) | 188 (64) | 0.41 |
| Physical activity* ≥150 min/week moderate intensity or 75 min/week vigorous intensity or combination | 213 (66) | 188 (64) | 0.61 |
| Ideal diet (4–5) | 0 | 0 | – |
| Salt<1500 mg/day† | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | – |
| Fruits and vegetables 4.5 cups/day | 35 (11) | 41 (14) | 0.27 |
| Fish 3.5 oz servings ≥2 servings/week | 45 (14) | 43 (15) | 0.82 |
| Sweetened beverages ≤450 kcal/week | 173 (53) | 172 (58) | 0.26 |
| Whole grains ≥3 servings/day | 4 (1) | 4 (1) | 1.0 |
| Ideal CVH, n (%) | |||
| Ideal (5–7) | 53 (16) | 30 (10) | 0.08 |
| Intermediate (3–4) | 176 (54) | 173 (58) | |
| Poor (0–2) | 95 (29) | 93 (31) | |
*Estimated by Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (CPAQ).
†Estimated sodium based on isolated spot urinary sodium and creatinine excretion based on Tanaka formula.19
‡Data are mean (SD) except where indicated.
BMI, body mass index; CV, cardiovascular; CVH, cardiovascular health; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; MET, metabolic equivalent of the task.