Getting the message across
BMJ 2001; 323 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/sbmj.0112456 (Published 01 December 2001) Cite this as: BMJ 2001;323:0112456
- Claire Mac Evilly, nutrition scientist1
- 1British Nutrition Foundation
The science of nutrition is a diverse one as it is the study not only of nutrients, but their interactions with physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and psychology. It is ever evolving as a science and this means that over the past 50 years we have seen the diet health message change from simple directives to more complex goals or targets. Surveys continue to report that consumers are confused about diet and health related messages. So how do we as health professionals get past this hurdle and provide accurate but simple advice and motivate people to make long term change? This article will look at some of the ways in which nutrition messages make their way to the public domain.
Who's who in the communication arena?
As health professionals we are not alone in trying to communicate the benefits of proper nutrition messages. We do, however, all have the same single objective: to influence eating behaviour. However, each group approaches the goal from a different perspective. For example, the food industry must sell its products. When emphasising nutritional attributes can further that goal, food producers are eager to do so. Certainly there was an explosion of foods with added health benefits during the late 1990s, but the claims associated with some of these foods, such as “special” margarine, were unsubstantiated and the message from health professionals was that it was important to recognise that foods like these addressed only one risk factor. In addition, foods with an added health benefit should not be considered an alternative to a healthy balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle.
The government also has a vested interest …
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