Abstract
Research suggests national dietary guidelines are losing public resonance, with consumers actively seeking alternate nutrition advice from unregulated online platforms that often propagate misinformation. Improved diet quality can beneficially affect inflammation, and with science relating to nutrition and inflammation also appealing to consumers, this emerging topic provides an opportunity to consider how novel engagement strategies can be used to increase public support of expert-generated advice. This study aimed to qualitatively explore MOOC learners’ perceptions and experiences of following diets believed to help manage inflammation. Data were collected from an evidence-based nutrition-focused Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), which included a unit titled Foods and Inflammation. The Framework method was used to analyze 12,622 learner comments, taken from the MOOC’s online discussion forum and questionnaire. Learners identified avoidance of core food groups, such as dairy and grains, as key in managing inflammation. Dietary advice came mainly from the internet, and health professionals reportedly lacked an appreciation of the learners’ underlying nutrition knowledge, providing oversimplified advice that did not satisfy their scientific curiosity. To help build consumer trust and increase engagement, health professionals need to consider innovative education strategies that utilize novel topics such as nutrition and inflammation, in a safe and accurate manner.
Highlights
National dietary guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations to ensure optimal nutrition and prevention of chronic disease for populations [1,2]
Consumers who are interested in nutrition science, and believe they are relatively well-informed, can be especially difficult to engage in nutrition campaigns that utilize traditional communication strategies [6]
This highlights the limitations of traditional expert-driven nutrition messages, such as national dietary guidelines, which do not adequately consider the publics’ diverse attitudes towards nutrition science
Summary
National dietary guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations to ensure optimal nutrition and prevention of chronic disease for populations [1,2]. Consumers who are interested in nutrition science, and believe they are relatively well-informed, can be especially difficult to engage in nutrition campaigns that utilize traditional communication strategies [6] These consumers are generally distrustful of the governments’ role in science, and believe the public should have a larger role in making decisions about key nutrition issues [4,5]. This highlights the limitations of traditional expert-driven nutrition messages, such as national dietary guidelines, which do not adequately consider the publics’ diverse attitudes towards nutrition science
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