Is It Time to Reevaluate Our Dietary Fat Recommendations?
Abstract
Despite Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) focus on decreased fat intake, coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Consumer-confusion regarding fat-recommendations in response to these guidelines may be related to health educator (e.g. RDN) mixed-messaging. A random sample of RDNs (n=281), completed an online-survey targeting perceptions, knowledge, and dietary patterns regarding fat. Survey responses provided insights such as: 70% of RDNs strongly-agree olive oil should be regularly-utilized, 99% agree omega-3 fatty acids promote health, and 69% believe it is important to consider fat when choosing foods. Additionally, 40% of RDNs “rarely”/“never” recommend fish-oil supplements and 46% “rarely”/“never” use fat-free/reduced-fat products. Regarding confidence of fat’s effect on health, 19% were “neutral”/“unsure” of polyunsaturated fatty-acids. Of the RDNs surveyed, 22% agreed recent changes in DGAs decreased their confidence making fat-recommendations. Results indicate importance of science-based fat-recommendations in relation to RDN recommendations.
Keywords: Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), dietary fat intake, nutritional knowledge, dietary patterns, recommendations