Beliefs, benefits, barriers, attitude, intake and knowledge about peanuts and tree nuts among WIC participants in eastern North Carolina

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess beliefs (e.g. advantages, disadvantages, benefits, barriers) and knowledge about eating peanuts and tree nuts. Personal interviews based on the Theory of Planned Behavior were conducted to elicit beliefs about eating nuts. Then, a cross-sectional survey was administered to WIC participants from one county in North Carolina. One-hundred-twenty-four WIC participants (mean (SD) age=28.39 (8.09) completed the study. Most were Caucasian (51.6%) females (96%). About one third believed that eating nuts may help to lower cholesterol level. However, only about one forth believed that nuts can lower a risk of a heart attack or diabetes. More than one third believed that eating nuts will cause weight gain. The knowledge of respondents' about nutrient content of nuts was low with correct answers to most questions about 20% or below. The mean (SD) positive attitude, negative attitude, benefits and barriers scores, based on a range from 1 to 5, were 2.53 (0.91), 3.25 (0.89), 2.97 (0.85) and 2.90 (0.76), respectively. WIC participants' beliefs regarding the health effects of nuts are inconsistent with the most recent research findings. They are in a need to education about benefits of eating nuts.

Women Infant and Children program participants' beliefs and consumption of soy milk : Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

“…Regarding participants' beliefs and the subjective norm, the current study had similar findings to a study of North Carolina WIC participants who strongly agreed with the statement "I would eat nuts on most days of a week if my doctor recommended me to do so" [26]. Participants in this study in North Carolina, much like participants in the current study examining WIC participants and soy milk, had a low intake (7%) of the food of interest, nuts.…”

Perceptions and Knowledge of Nuts amongst Health Professionals in New Zealand

“…Therefore, gaining an understanding of this is important, especially given that nut consumption in a number of countries is lower than recommended [11,12,13]. Also, previous research has suggested that individuals would consume more nuts if advised to do so by a doctor [15] and this would appear likely to also apply to other groups of health professionals. Dietitians and practice nurses also offer dietary advice, and examining these professionals is important alongside examining doctors.…”

“…A recent cross-sectional survey showed that almost 50% of the participants agreed they would consume nuts if they were more affordable [15]. There are considerable differences in price between types of nuts.…”

“…One study from the USA, which examined the perceived benefits of and barriers to nut consumption among low-income people, reported that participants strongly agreed with the statement that they would eat more nuts if their doctor recommended them to do so [15]. In a further study by Pawlak et al, among those with or at high risk of CVD and/or diabetes, only 27% of respondents reported that their doctor advises them to eat nuts.…”

U.S. Consumer Purchases and Nutritional Knowledge of Pecans

“…The survey instrument was split into three sections to collect information on 1) respondents' general and tree nut nutrition knowledge, 2) pecan purchases and preferences, and 3) demographic characteristics of the respondents. Nutrition knowledge was measured using statements previously applied in scholarly literature for this purpose (e.g., Hoogenboom et al, 2009; Pawlak et al, 2009). These questions were used as a measure of each food consumer's general and tree nut-specific nutrition knowledge levels.…”