The Impact of Portion Plates on Patients in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of a portion plate could improve the waist circumference, weight loss and blood pressure of cardiac rehabilitation patients. Methods: The data collected at their time of admission to the program (week 0) and at their completion of the program (week 8). Both groups were analyzed and compared using means and ranges. Results: The study included 86 patients, with 49 patients who received the portion plate at week 0 (study group) and 37 patients who received the portion plate at week 8 (control group). The mean weight reduction for the study group was 6.1 kg (6.5%) versus the control group which had a mean reduction of 0.6 kg (0.1%). The study group reduced their mean BMI by 0.85 kg/m2 (2.6%) while the control group reduced their mean BMI by 0.25 kg/m2 (0.1%). The study group reduced their mean waist circumference by 2.3 cm (2.1%) and the control group reduced it by 1.0 cm (0.9%). Conclusions: For waist circumference, BMI and weight, the portion plate group showed a greater improvement compared with the control group. Given the results, the cardiac rehabilitation program is considering the plates in their routine care.

Keywords

• Portion plate
• Weight management tool