ARS | Publication request: Understanding barriers to dietary guideline adherence: The HEALTH Study

Submitted to: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2012
Publication Date: October 11, 2012
Citation: Jahns, L.A., Bogle, M., Chester, D.N., Laugero, K.D., Tucker, K.L., Nicklas, T. 2012. Understanding barriers to dietary guideline adherence: The HEALTH Study. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 112(3):A11.

Technical Abstract: The majority of the population does not meet recommendations for consumption of dairy (D), whole grains (WG), fruits (F), and vegetables (V). The goal was to understand barriers to DGA adherence for four nutrient-rich food groups in children and adults across six Human Nutrition Research Center sites. 137 adults (34% AA; 31% EA; 35% HA) and 155 children (33% AA; 34% EA; 33% HA) participated in 47 Nominal Group Technique (NGT) sessions. NGT is a qualitative method of data collection. NGT includes weighted ranking of responses, enabling a group to generate and prioritize a large number of issues within a structure that gives everyone an equal voice. Core barriers specific to adults were lack of preparation skills/recipes (WG, D, V); did not grow up eating it (D, F, V); spoilage/ripeness and cost (WG, F); cultural issues (WG) and health, i.e. lactose intolerance (D). In children, barriers were competing foods, i.e. junk foods/fast foods (WG, D, F, V); lack of exposure (V) and, availability (F). Core barriers common to both children and adults were disliking the taste (D, WG, V); and lack of knowledge of food sources/health benefits/portion sizes (WG). Children and adults described several overlapping and food group-specific barriers to increasing consumption of D, WG, F, and V. Programs for improving DGA adherence may be improved through integration of consumer-derived information about DGA adherence.