ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies and discusses several key topics in nutrition intervention and dietary behavior change that have remained largely unaddressed. It encourages nutritions and behaviorists to investigate these issues, thereby helping to gain increased understanding of dietary change. Changing dietary behavior is thought to be particularly complicated, because of the multidimensional nature of dietary intake which encompasses social, cultural, and psychological factors in addition to the basic need for life sustenance. Traditionally, intensive behavioral changes should be made in small, slow increments. By making changes in dietary behaviors to meet the fat goal, women consumed more fruits and vegetables daily. Substitution of fruits and vegetables for fat-containing sweets and snacks was encouraged as part of the intervention, and adding additional fruits or vegetables to a lower-fat main dish was encouraged to prevent hunger. The role of the expert in providing information to the public is critical to bring about a change in dietary behavior.
