CHANGING TO A LOW-FAT DIET - ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS OF UK CONSUMERS

A questionnaire on attitudes and beliefs regarding low fat diets was m ailed to 2000 consumers throughout the United Kingdom. Information was also obtained about present fat intake by means of a food frequency q uestionnaire. A total of 665 (33%) questionnaires were returned of whi ch 390 (20%) were completed correctly and used in the present analysis . Respondents were divided into tertiles for percentage energy from fa t, allowing classification into low, medium and high fat intake groups , and no consistent differences emerged in the attitudes and beliefs o f respondents. The majority of people were familiar with current guide lines concerning reduction of fat intake and accepted the putative hea lth benefits of adopting lower fat diets. Regardless of actual fat int ake, the majority of people felt that their diet was healthy and was n ot high in fat, and indicated that they had already reduced their fat intake. A major barrier to reducing fat intake in the UK may therefore be associated with a general failure to recognize what comprises effe ctive dietary change.