The effect of feedback on dietary intent to reduce fat

Abstract
A system providing individualized dietary feedback reports was evaluated in a university-based study of 166 subjects. Although 62% of subjects with fat intakes of 30% of total kilocalories or less recognized that they had low fat intakes, only 25% of those with fat intakes in excess of 30% of total kilocalories were aware that their intake exceeded the goal (χ2 = 14.5, P < 0.001). After feedback, those subjects with fat intakes greater than 30% of total kilocalories were more likely to report that they intended to reduce their fat intake (χ2 = 5.6, P < 0.05) and increased their use of fat reduction behaviors at follow-up compared with subjects consuming 30% of total kilocalories or less from fat at baseline (t = 3.3, P < 0.05).