NEW YORK, Jan 11 (Reuters Health) -- The good news is that many Americans
have cut back on dietary fat. But fewer people have increased their intake of
dietary fiber, particularly fiber from fruits and vegetables, results of a
recent survey suggest.
Of people who say they would follow a dietary recommendation if it would
benefit their health, more than 60% consume whole grains -- a major source of
dietary fiber -- each day, according to the survey. However, only 15% said they
frequently eat fruits and vegetables.
"I don't think the general public understands fiber sources," Joanne
Hattner, a registered dietitian in California, told Reuters Health. "If you ask
people what has fiber they might say bran cereal, but they are less aware that
fruits and vegetables contain fiber."
The survey, published in the January issue of the Journal of the American
Dietetic Association, encompassed more than 6,000 people in the general
population, including 362 people who worked as registered dietitians and 147
people with cancer or heart disease. About 2,700 of those surveyed said they
would follow a dietary recommendation if it would benefit their health,
according to the researchers from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Registered dietitians were much more likely to report increased fiber
intake and lower fat intake than the general population, suggesting that
education can help people follow dietary recommendations.
"Dietitians have received extensive education about decreasing fat and
increasing fiber intakes, have been exposed to many ideas about how these
changes can be accomplished, and receive considerable support for making
changes," concludes lead author Dr. Garry W. Auld, a professor with the
department of food science/human nutrition at Colorado State University, and
colleagues.
Those with cancer or heart disease were more likely to lower fat intake
than the general population, but they were similar in regard to fiber intake.
"People are motivated by being told they have a chronic disease," Hattner
said. But while most people understand the link between dietary fat and heart
disease, they are less aware that fiber can help lower cholesterol. "The
consumer may not relate fiber as well as fat to certain diseases," Hattner said.
Previous studies have shown that women and those with higher education are
most likely to comply with dietary recommendations. Auld and colleagues report
that among the general population, white, college-educated women over age 60 who
had a relatively high income and no small children or chronic diseases were most
likely to have healthy eating habits.
The authors note that the food industry could help increase fiber intake
in the US diet by providing a wider variety of convenience foods that feature
fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
