Family physicians' views of the preventive services task force recommendations regarding nutritional counseling

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of agreement between family physicians and the nutritional counseling recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force. DESIGN: A survey was developed, tested, and mailed to a random nationwide sample of 500 family physicians. PARTICIPANTS: Active members of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Kansas City, Mo. Forty-nine percent of the physicians responded to the survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The level of agreement between family physicians and the nutritional counseling recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force was determined through responses from 1 to 7 on a Likert scale, with a higher number indicating a greater level of agreement. RESULTS: A comparison of age, gender, and type of practice found that the sample did not significantly differ from the characteristics of the membership of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Seventy-five percent of the physicians agreed that clinicians should provide periodic counseling regarding the dietary intake of fat and cholesterol. Fifty percent or more of the physicians agreed with the other five recommendations, including providing periodic counseling about the dietary energy intake, the dietary intake of sodium, and exercise and referring patients to a registered dietitian. Gender and type of practice had a significant effect on the level of agreement with the recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, this sample of family physicians agreed with the US Preventive Services Task Force nutritional counseling recommendations. Family physicians seemed to be supportive of nutritional counseling during the periodic health examination, but further research is required to identify barriers to implementation.