Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) towards ketogenic Diet and its risk among Bangladeshi Population: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

In recent years, the ketogenic diet has become more popular in Bangladesh. Despite the potential negative effects, people are increasingly embracing and adjusting to this diet. Accounting for this manner, the current study addresses a gap that has existed as no research has been done on grown-up adults’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the ketogenic diet and its possible risks. To assess their Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of the Ketogenic Diet and its risks, a descriptive cross-sectional study of the adult Bangladeshi population was carried out. A number of questions were asked to participants regarding their demographics, sources of dietary knowledge, attitudes toward the diet, understanding of the Ketogenic Diet, and views on it. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Out of 383 participants, women (63.20%) and people under the age of 30 (68.15%) dominated the study. 359 (93.70%) of the participants reported having inadequate knowledge about the ketogenic diet. Around 43.42% of Participants who ever followed KD were assessed to have a healthy BMI. The results revealed a significant association between respondents’ perceptions of KD as a typical weight loss treatment and their knowledge score. Social media was the main source of information for followers (60.53%), while peers were the source of information for 30.26% of respondents. Participants who ever followed the ketogenic diet were less aware of its risks and often considered it safe to follow for a long period believing its benefits outweighed any possible drawbacks. The findings of the current study suggest that Bangladeshis are not well-informed about the therapeutic applications of the ketogenic diet. It appears that pre-diet counselling is essential for everyone to understand every component and proper approach for following this diet.