Factors perceived to influence dietary fat reduction behaviors

Dietary change is an inherently complex process. Although dietary fat reduc tion is an important issue in nutrition education, factors facilitating thi s type of change have not been fully examined. By accumulating information from individuals who have already been successful in initiating and maintai ning dietary fat reduction, practical means of assisting others can be lear ned. This study collected information from 155 participants between the age s of 30 and 55. Participants were included if they reported the initiation of sustained dietary fat reduction strategies beginning at least 5 years Fr ier to recruitment. Data used to examine individual patterns of dietary fat reduction were collected via in-depth, semistructured, retrospective inter views. Qualitative analyses identified 134 factors that Flayed a role in fa cilitating the adoption of multiple fat reduction strategies. The factors i dentified were further classified into two categories: unplanned and planne d. Unplanned factors were defined as life events or occurrences that are no t nor should they be intentionally included in one's life as a means of die tary improvement (e.g., market influence, health issues, disease diagnosis) . Planned factors were defined as occurrences often intentionally included in one's life to facilitate dietary change (e.g.,going on a weight loss die t, acquiring an appliance, making a resolution). They frequently resulted f rom mediation by an unplanned factor. These factors can be used to help nut rition educators identify specific times conducive to initiating dietary ch ange, as well as techniques for facilitating dietary fat reduction.