Selected nutrition practices of women on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: observations from the NKF-CRN Second National Research Question Collaborative Study

Objective: The objective of this study was to report selected nutrition behavior practices (type and amount of fat, fiber, and beverage intake) collected by self-administered validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) as part of the 1998 to 1999 NKF-CRN Second National Research Question Collaborative Study Group.

Design and methods: This study was conducted on a prospective randomized cohort of 264 adult women 18 years of age or older that were on hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis for more than 3 months and were receiving treatment in 116 U.S. dialysis centers. These women completed the same self-administered validated FFQ used in the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial.

Main outcome measures: Main outcome measures included tabulated FFQ data and selected nutrition practices using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage). Associations with selected demographic and geographic region variables were examined, and nutrition practice differences by age, registered dietitian full-time equivalents, years on dialysis, and body mass index (BMI) categories were investigated using analyses of variance.

Results: Demographics (mean ± standard deviation) were age (56.1 ± 15.3 years), years on dialysis (5.3 ± 4.6 years), and race/ethnicity (62% White, 30% Black) with 86% on HD. The nutrition behavior of taking the skin off of chicken was more prevalent in White women (P < .0005) whereas adding fat to cooking was higher in Black women (P < .0005). Differences in other selected nutrition practices were also observed.

Conclusions: Low-fat intake behaviors were reported in 30% to 50% of the sample; fiber intake was minimal (mean 10 g/day). Self-administered FFQs may have limitations in calculating actual intake, but this is the first report of dietary patterns specifically in women undergoing maintenance dialysis from 1998 to 1999. These data could be used to increase fruit and vegetable intake within renal diet parameters and support awareness of healthier food choices.