Physicians' knowledge of dietary fat and advice to patients

A mailed survey of 239 Texas physicians selected by a stratified random sample was completed in 1990 (response ratio = 39.5%) concerning physician's background in nutrition, nutrition knowledge, and recommended treatments to patients with hypercholesterolemia. Twenty-one percent reported taking a nutrition seminar and 41 percent read a nutrition text during the past year. Less than a third had taken a nutrition course after medical school; half had taken such a course during medical school. Over 46 percent achieved a perfect score on nine knowledge questions regarding dietary fat. Only 35 percent identified the latest American Heart Association nutrition education effort. Seventy-four percent said they ate chicken or fish instead of red meat three or more times a week. Over 80 percent selected exercise, weight reduction, and low fat diets as the most important treatment types. Physicians continue to have limited knowledge of nutrition and should be encouraged to make greater use of dietitians as consultants.