Food pattern and quality of life in metabolic syndrome patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in Taiwan

Metabolic syndrome is associated with poor operative outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). A healthy food pattern for metabolic syndrome patients is necessary not only in the initial stage to prevent cardiovascular disease but for those who experience cardiovascular problems and undergo heart surgery. Empirical studies that explore food pattern and quality of life metabolic syndrome patients who undergo CABG are lacking. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to explore the food pattern and quality of life of metabolic syndrome patients who undergo CABG and to examine the relationship between these two variables. A descriptive, correlational and cross section design was conducted. Through convenience sampling, 104 patients were recruited. Data were collected through three instruments: a demographic questionnaire; the Chinese Food Frequency Questionnaire-Short Form (Short C-FFQ), used to assess food pattern; and the Taiwanese version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-Health Survey (SF-36), used to assess quality of life. Descriptive analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that patients who ate fruit more frequently tended to have a better quality of life, while the intake of fried food was more frequently associated with a poor quality of life. The use of these data gives the health care provider a better understanding of food pattern and their impact on quality of life in this population. Such an understanding can be used to develop targeted interventions to promote health in this and in other populations.