Employees' Expectations of Internet-Based, Workplace Interventions Promoting the Mediterranean Diet: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

General rightsThis document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/pure/about/ebr-terms Participants: Employees (n=29, 51.7% women), aged 24-58 years. Phenomenon of interest:Ability to follow the MedDiet; preferences for goal setting if asked to follow the MedDiet; intervention content.Analysis: Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: Participants perceived that adhering to some MedDiet recommendations would be challenging and highlighted cost, taste and cooking skills as adherence barriers. Behaviour change preferences included a tailored approach to goal-setting, reviewing goal progress via a website/smartphone app and receiving expert feedback via an app/website/text/face-to-face session. Desirable features of an internet-based MedDiet application included recipes, interactivity, nutritional information, shopping tips, cost-saving information and a companion smartphone app. Engaging social support was deemed important to facilitate adherence. Conclusions and implications:An internet-based, work-place MedDiet intervention should address adherence barriers, utilise a tailored approach to setting and reviewing goals and activate social support to facilitate adherence. These findings provide insights to planning to promote the MedDiet in non-Mediterranean regions.(Abstract word count: 200 words)

Barriers to adopting a Mediterranean diet in Northern European adults at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease

“…Most of these barriers are consistent with barriers to general healthy eating that are established in the dietary change literature (15)(16)(17)(18)(19) and have been identified as barriers to following a MD in other non-Mediterranean populations (20,21,37) . Knowledge of the specific composition of a MD was limited; therefore, there is a need for further education on this dietary pattern that offers significant health benefits for this at risk group.…”

“…Two small qualitative studies in healthy adults also reported that a colder climate, a perceived impact on body weight, acceptability and cultural differences are important barriers to MD adoption in a Northern European population (20,21) . The findings from the present study contribute to this limited evidence base of factors effecting MD adoption in non-Mediterranean populations and extend this knowledge to views of individuals at high CVD risk.…”

“…Intervention studies to encourage MD adoption conducted in Northern European populations, although limited in number, have reported increases in MD adherence (13,14) . To our knowledge, only two small qualitative studies have investigated barriers to consuming a MD in the UK in one region (20,21) . Although barriers to general dietary change are well documented in the literature (15)(16)(17)(18)(19) , there is very limited information on specific barriers that may exist in relation to the adoption of a MD by Northern European populations.…”

“…Although barriers to general dietary change are well documented in the literature (15)(16)(17)(18)(19) , there is very limited information on specific barriers that may exist in relation to the adoption of a MD by Northern European populations. To our knowledge, only two small qualitative studies have investigated barriers to consuming a MD in the UK in one region (20,21) . These studies represent the views of healthy adults; however, it is critical to gain insight into the views of adults at high CVD risk, who may gain the greatest health benefits from changing to a MD and who also represent an ideal target for MD intervention.…”

Comparison of the Effects of the 1975 Japanese Diet and the Modern Mediterranean Diet on Lipid Metabolism in Mice

“…The Mediterranean diet is not a specific diet, but rather a collection of eating habits traditionally followed by people in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea 12 . It is characterized by high intake of whole-grain cereals, legumes, nuts, vegetables, fruits and olive oil; moderate intake of low-fat dairy products, fish, and red wine during meals; and low intake of red meat and processed meat products 12,13 . The Mediterranean diet improves glucose and lipid metabolic disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes or coronary heart disease 14 , and improves fat accumulation and insulin resistance in the liver of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease 15 .…”