A study among dietitians and adult members of their households of the practicalities and implications of following proposed dietary guidelines for the UK. British Dietetic Association Community Nutrition Group Nutrition Guidelines Project.

Abstract

Four hundred and seventy-two dietitians and adult members of their households took part in a research project carried out by the British Dietetic Association's Community Nutrition Group. They first kept 7-day weighed food diaries of their normal eating habits. These were analysed and compared with the dietary goals set by the study. The participants who did not 'achieve' the goals were then asked to keep a second 7-day weighted diary while trying to eat a diet conforming to the dietary goals which were based on the NACNE long-term guidelines; 351 people did so. Mean nutrient intakes on first diaries were within the short-term goals recommended by the NACNE report except for fat and when participants were consciously altering their diets they achieved all the long-term goals. Average intakes were: fat, 30 per cent of energy; saturated fat; 10 per cent of energy; added sugar, 7 per cent of energy; alcohol, 4 per cent of energy; dietary fibre, 38 g; and sodium 2690 mg. The goals for total fat and saturated fat were the hardest to achieve. There was a significant drop in energy intake between the first and second diaries from 7.99 (s.d. +/- 1.54) MJ to 7.05 (s.d. +/- 1.25) for women (P less than 0.001) and 10.92 (+/- s.d. 1.76) MJ to 9.42 (s.d. +/- 1.54) MJ for men (P less than 0.001). The percentage of energy from fat and added sugars and the amount of sodium and fibre in the diet tended to increase with energy intake. None of the men in the highest energy band (12.56 MJ) achieved the goal for sodium. The diet which achieved the goals was more nutrient-dense than the diet which did not with significant increases in 14 vitamins and minerals despite the drop in energy. Participants experienced some problems in achieving the goals but not as many as had been anticipated.