Limited data exist about patient preferences and self-efficacy for different diets. Bartfield and colleagues explored the preferences and self-efficacy of primary care patients for reducing fat, carbohydrates, or calories. A self-administered survey study was conducted of 71 primary care patients (response rate of 52%). Of patients, 59%, 53%, and 60% had high self-efficacy for reducing fat, reducing carbohydrates, and reducing calories from their diet, respectively. Preferences were comparable, with 76% highly willing to reduce fat, 76% highly willing to reduce carbohydrates, and 72% of patients highly willing to reduce calories/portions. Female sex and higher BMI were associated with high self-efficacy for all three dietary changes. A significantly higher proportion of nonwhites than whites had high self-efficacy for reducing fat and reducing carbohydrates (P < 0.05).

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The authors concluded that obese patients in their study had similarly high willingness, self-efficacy, and comparable preferences for adopting changes consistent with three popular diets.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A PATIENT: The study suggests that through a self-management program, you can develop self-efficacy to manage the reduction of fat, carbohydrates, or calories. These should be encouraging findings to you if you have a weight problem.

JK Bartfield et al. Preferences and Self-efficacy for Diet Modification Among Primary Care Patients. Obesity (Silver Spring), September 3, 2009.