Research Showcase Abstracts

This research describes the sustained impacts of participation in the Robson Valley Lifestyle (RVL) which was a low-carb, low-fat diet program in Vanderhoof, BC

This research describes the population that participated in the RVL and compared anthropometric and biochemical data of participants before, immediately after, and 3 to 4 years after participating in the RVL. Additionally, it identifies the number of participants who were seen by a dietitian.

A retrospective chart review was conducted on RVL participants from the Omineca Medical Clinic in Vanderhoof, BC. Data on various health parameters were collected pre-RVL, post-RVL, and at present. Two-tailed t-tests were conducted between each participants’ health data at each time interval. Dietitian involvement during and after the RVL was also tracked.

38 participants met the inclusion criteria. For pre- vs post-RVL, significant differences (p-value <0.05, 95% CI) were found in BMI (-2.8 kg/m2; CI -3.8 to -1.8), weight (-8.8 kg; CI -10.7 to -7.0), and systolic blood pressure (-5mmHg; CI -9.1 to 0). Comparing post-RVL vs present, significant differences were found in BMI (+3.9kg/m2; CI 2.8 to 5.0), weight (+12.6kg; CI 9.5 to 15.8), systolic (+8mmHg; CI 0.6 to 15.3) and diastolic (+6mmHg; CI 1.5 to 9.5) blood pressure, and fasting glucose (+0.5mmol/L; CI 0.1 to 0.8). Comparing pre-RVL to present, weight (+3.8kg; CI 0.8 to 6.7) and diastolic blood pressure (+5mmHg; CI 0.3 to 8.2) were significantly higher. 0% of participants were referred to a dietitian during the program, and 16% were referred to after.

The initial impact of the RVL has not been sustained.

This research adds to the body of literature that suggests benefits from restrictive diets are not sustained