PHYSICIAN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIETARY CHANGE - THEIR PREVALENCE AND IMPACT IN A POPULATION-BASED SAMPLE

A random-digit-dialing survey to examine the prevalence, content, and impact of physician dietary recommendations in a representative popula tion-based sample of Washington State residents was administered to 19 72 persons aged 18 years and older. Twenty percent of those surveyed r eceived a physician's recommendation for dietary change in the previou s year. The most common recommendations were to decrease intake of cho lesterol, calories, and red meat and to increase intake of vegetables and fiber. Respondents receiving recommendations were more likely to r eport decreased use of high-fat foods and increased use of high-fiber foods and to be in the maintenance stage of dietary change. Results su ggest that physicians can play a limited role in promoting dietary cha nge.