Brown Rachel C, Yong Lee Ching, Gray Andrew R, Tey Siew Ling, Chisholm Alexandra, Leong Sook Ling
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
Nutrition Society of New Zealand, Whanganui 4543, New Zealand.
Nutrients. 2017 Mar 1;9(3):220. doi: 10.3390/nu9030220.
Despite their nutritional value, population-level nut consumption remains low. Studies suggest that individuals would eat more nuts on their doctor's advice, making health professionals potentially important for promoting nut consumption. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the perceptions and knowledge of nuts and the predictors of nut promotion among health professionals in New Zealand. Dietitians, general practitioners (GPs), and practice nurses were identified from the Electoral Roll and invited to complete a questionnaire (n = 318, 292, and 149 respondents respectively). Over one-fifth of GPs and practice nurses believed that eating nuts could increase blood cholesterol concentrations and cause weight gain. The most common perceptions overall were that nuts are healthy; high in protein, fat, and calories; and are satiating. Nut consumption was recommended for reasons relating to these perceptions and because of nuts' selenium content. Conversely, reasons for suggesting the consumption of fewer nuts included that they were high in calories and fat, would cause weight gain, and concerns regarding allergies and cost. All groups of health professionals were more likely to promote nut consumption if they perceived nuts to reduce the risk of diabetes (all p ≤ 0.034). Education could improve health professionals' knowledge regarding the effects of nut consumption on blood cholesterol and body weight, alongside other health benefits, which should improve the advice given to patients and may thereby increase nut consumption.
尽管坚果具有营养价值，但在人群层面上，坚果的消费量仍然很低。研究表明，个体在医生的建议下会食用更多坚果，这使得健康专业人员在促进坚果消费方面可能具有重要作用。这项横断面研究旨在调查新西兰健康专业人员对坚果的认知和了解，以及坚果推广的预测因素。从选民名册中识别出营养师、全科医生（GPs）和执业护士，并邀请他们填写一份问卷（分别有318名、292名和149名受访者）。超过五分之一的全科医生和执业护士认为吃坚果会增加血液胆固醇浓度并导致体重增加。总体而言，最常见的认知是坚果有益健康；富含蛋白质、脂肪和热量；并且有饱腹感。建议食用坚果是基于这些认知以及坚果中的硒含量。相反，建议减少坚果摄入量的原因包括坚果热量和脂肪含量高、会导致体重增加，以及对过敏和成本的担忧。如果所有健康专业人员群体认为坚果能降低糖尿病风险，他们就更有可能推广坚果消费（所有p≤0.034）。教育可以提高健康专业人员关于坚果消费对血液胆固醇和体重影响的知识，以及其他健康益处，这应该会改善给予患者的建议，从而可能增加坚果的消费量。
