Supporting people to implement a reduced carbohydrate diet: a qualitative study in family practice

Journal article

This study provides important experience-based evidence on a topical dietary intervention. Participants strongly advocated for the use of low-carb diets. The successes described draw attention to the need for pragmatic, formative evaluation of low-carb advice and support as a 'complex intervention' (alongside physiological research), to justify, challenge and/or shape low-carb intervention in clinical practice. The findings raise important questions about the contribution of particular care practices to the apparent success of low-carb. Social science analyses can elucidate how dietary intervention is carried out across different healthcare settings (eg, dietetics, endocrinology) and patient groups, how healthcare practices intersect with people's everyday self-management and how different forms of evidence are invoked and prioritised.

Authors: Cupit, C; Redman, E

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Journal: BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 226-234
• Publication date: 2021-05-10
• Acceptance date: 2021-04-24
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2021-000240
• EISSN: 2516-5542
• ISSN: 2516-5542
• Language: English
• Keywords: Pedagogy; Focus group; Social psychology; Qualitative research; Enthusiasm; Psychology; Medicine; Intervention (counseling); Nursing; Formative assessment; Sociology; Medical education