Premium
Barriers to adopting a Mediterranean diet in Northern European adults at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease
Author(s) -
Moore S. E.,
McEvoy C. T.,
Prior L.,
Lawton J.,
Patterson C. C.,
Kee F.,
Cupples M.,
Young I. S.,
Appleton K.,
McKinley M. C.,
Woodside J. V.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1111/jhn.12523
Subject(s) - medicine , mediterranean diet , disease , environmental health , gerontology
Abstract Background Strong evidence links the consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MD) with a reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; however, there is uncertainty as to whether non‐Mediterranean regions will adopt this diet. The present qualitative research aimed to investigate attitudes towards a MD in individuals at high CVD risk in a Northern European population. This information is needed to inform development of MD interventions in non‐Mediterranean high‐risk populations. Methods Focus groups ( n = 12) were held with individuals at high CVD risk from Northern Europe (≥2 CVD risk factors, aged ≥50 years, no established CVD/type 2 diabetes). Attitudes to dietary change towards a MD were explored. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Sixty‐seven adults participated (60% female, mean age 64 years). There was some awareness of the term MD but limited knowledge of its composition. Barriers to general dietary change were evident, including perception of expense , concern over availability , expectation of time commitment , limited knowledge , lack of cooking skills , amount and conflicting nature of media information on diets , changing established eating habits and resistance to dietary change . Barriers specific to MD adoption were also identified, including perceived difficulty living in a colder climate , perceived impact on body weight , acceptability of a MD and cultural differences . Conclusions Knowledge of a MD was limited in this Northern European sample at high CVD risk. In addition to general barriers to dietary change, barriers specific to a MD were identified. These findings have implications for the development of interventions aiming to promote MD adoption in non‐Mediterranean populations.