Using the COM-B model to identify barriers and facilitators towards adoption of a diet associated with cognitive function (MIND diet)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify components of the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour) model that influences behaviour to modify dietary patterns in 40–55-year-olds living in the UK, in order to influence the risk of cognitive decline in later life. Design: This is a qualitative study using the COM-B model and theoretical domains framework (TDF) to explore beliefs to adopting the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative delay (MIND) diet. Setting: Northern Ireland. Participants: Twenty-five participants were recruited onto the study to take part in either a focus group or an interview. Participants were men and women aged between 40 and 55 years. Participants were recruited via email, Facebook and face to face. Results: Content analysis revealed that the main perceived barriers to the adoption of the MIND diet were time, work environment, taste preference and convenience. The main perceived facilitators reported were improved health, memory, planning and organisation, and access to good quality food. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the personal, social and environmental factors that participants report as barriers and facilitators to the adoption of the MIND diet among middle-aged adults living in the UK. More barriers to healthy dietary change were found than facilitators. Future interventions that increase capability, opportunity and motivation may be beneficial. The results from this study will be used to design a behaviour change intervention using the subsequent steps from the Behaviour Change Wheel.

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“…Therefore, the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model and the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) (Susan Michie et al, 2011), supplemented by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) (Cane et al, 2012;Michie et al, 2005), were selected as appropriate underpinning theoretical frameworks for intervention development. These models are advantageous as they are evidencebased, have been usefully applied in multiple settings (Barker et al, 2016;Jatau et al, 2019;McGowan et al, 2020;Mosavianpour et al, 2016;Nickbakht et al, 2020;Timlin et al, 2020;Turner et al, 2021) and can be interpreted and applied relatively easily (Cane et al, 2012;Michie et al, 2005;Susan Michie et al, 2011).…”

Comparison of barriers and facilitators of MIND diet uptake among adults from Northern Ireland and Italy

“…The interview and focus group questions were based on guidance using the COM-B [37] model and TDF [38] (Table 1). The interview schedule was developed using the COM-B model, and informed the content analyses, as seen in previous research conducted with the NI population of this research, as seen in previous research conducted with the NI population of this research [45]. All participants were asked to complete a personal information form and consent form before the interview/focus group began.…”

“…The data analyses has been described in full in Timlin et al [45]. Two researchers (one English speaking and one Italian/English speaking) (DT&BG) independently read through the entire dataset and coded the data from each transcript and assigned initial "code names".…”

Identifying Targets for Interventions to Increase Uptake and Use of Hearing Protection in Noisy Recreational Settings

“…Other potential avenues for change may have presented themselves through the low scoring recorded for physical and social opportunities. In order to address these gaps, further explorative research is required, potentially achieved through qualitative fact-finding informed by the COM-B model itself, similar to that seen within the fields of dietary patterns [23,24] and cancer research [25]. Such research could bolster the current evidence base for future interventions.…”