Adults' beliefs about the determinants of successful dietary change

This study, using a random survey technique was designed to assess the number of changes people were making to their diet and what factors they considered would most influence them to make a dietary change. Seventy-seven per cent of respondents claimed to be making changes to their diet, and the most common changes such as reducing fat, salt and sugar and increasing fibre, were in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. In addition, 79.3 per cent of respondents indicated that suffering from a serious illness and thinking a dietary change might aid recovery would have a strong effect on their decision to change diets. Conversely, less than 10 per cent of all respondents indicated that speaking to a family member or friend, or information in the media would have a strong effect on them deciding to change their diet. With regard to the maintenance of dietary change, respondents indicated that experiencing the positive effects of dietary change on their health and well-being was the most important factor, while other important factors were liking the taste-texture of the new foods in the diet, having strong support from a spouse or partner and having a strong wish to change. Those in higher educational or occupational groups indicated the above factors to be more important than those in lower occupational and educational groups. The latter were more concerned with such factors as the cost and ease of preparing new foods in the diet, having few stresses at home and the support of friends and workmates. These results suggest that the design and implementation of dietary change programs should be targeted to specific groups in the community.