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Assessment of Attitudes, Preferences and Knowledge Regarding Dietary Protein Consumption and Health
Author(s) -
Neumann Brianna L,
Baum Jamie I
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.1164.6
Subject(s) - meal , population , medicine , consumption (sociology) , environmental health , social science , pathology , sociology
In the area of nutrition and dietary protein, experts often state that there are several barriers to consumption of dietary protein, however there is a lack of published data supporting these claims. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the attitudes, preferences and knowledge regarding nutrition, with an emphasis on dietary protein to identify potential barriers that would prevent purchasing protein or including protein the diet. A 38‐question Qualtrics survey was distributed via University of Arkansas listservs and on social media for three weeks. Participants (n=437) were asked to answer questions related to general nutrition knowledge and current dietary practices related to protein. Preliminary analyses of the survey population show that 58% of survey participants were between the ages of 18–24 y, 80% were female, 91% were white, 7% were vegetarian/vegan, and 53% had taken at least one nutrition class. When asked how often they include a protein source when eating a meal or snack, 52% responded sometimes and 46% responded always. Most (88%) participants indicated that they consume protein on a daily basis. In addition, 88% of the participants are most likely to eat protein at dinner, 63% at lunch and 44% at breakfast. However, of the 75% of participants who indicated that they consume breakfast daily, 40% consume protein at breakfast 5 or more time per week. The primary barriers preventing participants from consuming protein are cost (41%) and convenience (43%). When asked about current research topics related to dietary protein, 95% of participants responded that distributing protein throughout the day is the best way to consume protein and 100% responded that protein, in general, is good for you. More than 60% responded that higher protein diets have health benefits and 67% think protein burns more calories than carbohydrates and fats. However participants do not think all protein is nutritionally equal, 85% responded ‘no’ to all protein (plant versus animal sources) providing the same nutrients, 58% think plant protein is healthier. In general, the survey population thinks that there are health benefits associated with protein intake, however cost and convenience are barriers to regular consumption.