Knowledge and beliefs about dietary inorganic nitrate among UK-based nutrition professionals: development and application of the KINDS online questionnaire
Objectives To examine knowledge and beliefs about the biological roles of dietary inorganic nitrate in UK-based nutrition professionals, and to explore potential differences by participants’ education level.Setting An online questionnaire was administered to UK-based nutrition professionals, explori...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2019-10-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/10/e030719.full |
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| author | John C Mathers Oliver M Shannon Giorgia Grisotto Abrar Babateen Andrea McGrattan Kirsten Brandt Mario Siervo |
| author_facet | John C Mathers Oliver M Shannon Giorgia Grisotto Abrar Babateen Andrea McGrattan Kirsten Brandt Mario Siervo |
| author_sort | John C Mathers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives To examine knowledge and beliefs about the biological roles of dietary inorganic nitrate in UK-based nutrition professionals, and to explore potential differences by participants’ education level.Setting An online questionnaire was administered to UK-based nutrition professionals, exploring knowledge and/or beliefs across five areas: (1) health and performance effects of nitrate; (2) current and recommended intake values for nitrate; (3) dietary sources of nitrate; (4) methods of evaluating nitrate intake and (5) nitrate metabolism.Participants One hundred and twenty-five nutrition professionals.Primary outcome Knowledge and beliefs about inorganic nitrate.Results Most nutrition professionals taking part in the survey had previously heard of inorganic nitrate (71%) and perceived it to be primarily beneficial (51%). The majority believed that nitrate consumption can improve sports performance (59%) and reduce blood pressure (54%), but were unsure about effects on cognitive function (71%), kidney function (80%) and cancer risk (70%). Knowledge of dietary sources of nitrate and factors affecting its content in food were generally good (41%–79% of participants providing correct answers). However, most participants were unsure of the average population intake (65%) and the acceptable daily intake (64%) of nitrate. Most participants (65%) recognised at least one compound (ie, nitric oxide or nitrosamines) that is derived from dietary nitrate in the body. Knowledge of nitrate, quantified by a 23-point index created by summing correct responses, was greater in individuals with a PhD (p=0.01; median (IQR)=13 (9–17)) and tended to be better in respondents with a masters degree (p=0.054; 13 (8–15)) compared with undergraduate-level qualifications (10 (2–14)).Conclusions UK-based nutrition professionals demonstrated mixed knowledge about the physiology of dietary nitrate, which was better in participants with higher education. More efficient dissemination of current knowledge about inorganic nitrate and its effects on health to nutrition professionals will support them to make more informed recommendations about consumption of this compound. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-91f3716a54544634ab5bf9ea46789b19 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2019-10-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-91f3716a54544634ab5bf9ea46789b192025-08-20T01:55:34ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552019-10-0191010.1136/bmjopen-2019-030719Knowledge and beliefs about dietary inorganic nitrate among UK-based nutrition professionals: development and application of the KINDS online questionnaireJohn C Mathers0Oliver M Shannon1Giorgia Grisotto2Abrar Babateen3Andrea McGrattan4Kirsten Brandt5Mario Siervo68 Human Nutrition Research Centre, Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK1 Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK1 Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK1 Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UKPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK1 Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UKSchool of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UKObjectives To examine knowledge and beliefs about the biological roles of dietary inorganic nitrate in UK-based nutrition professionals, and to explore potential differences by participants’ education level.Setting An online questionnaire was administered to UK-based nutrition professionals, exploring knowledge and/or beliefs across five areas: (1) health and performance effects of nitrate; (2) current and recommended intake values for nitrate; (3) dietary sources of nitrate; (4) methods of evaluating nitrate intake and (5) nitrate metabolism.Participants One hundred and twenty-five nutrition professionals.Primary outcome Knowledge and beliefs about inorganic nitrate.Results Most nutrition professionals taking part in the survey had previously heard of inorganic nitrate (71%) and perceived it to be primarily beneficial (51%). The majority believed that nitrate consumption can improve sports performance (59%) and reduce blood pressure (54%), but were unsure about effects on cognitive function (71%), kidney function (80%) and cancer risk (70%). Knowledge of dietary sources of nitrate and factors affecting its content in food were generally good (41%–79% of participants providing correct answers). However, most participants were unsure of the average population intake (65%) and the acceptable daily intake (64%) of nitrate. Most participants (65%) recognised at least one compound (ie, nitric oxide or nitrosamines) that is derived from dietary nitrate in the body. Knowledge of nitrate, quantified by a 23-point index created by summing correct responses, was greater in individuals with a PhD (p=0.01; median (IQR)=13 (9–17)) and tended to be better in respondents with a masters degree (p=0.054; 13 (8–15)) compared with undergraduate-level qualifications (10 (2–14)).Conclusions UK-based nutrition professionals demonstrated mixed knowledge about the physiology of dietary nitrate, which was better in participants with higher education. More efficient dissemination of current knowledge about inorganic nitrate and its effects on health to nutrition professionals will support them to make more informed recommendations about consumption of this compound.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/10/e030719.full |
| spellingShingle | John C Mathers Oliver M Shannon Giorgia Grisotto Abrar Babateen Andrea McGrattan Kirsten Brandt Mario Siervo Knowledge and beliefs about dietary inorganic nitrate among UK-based nutrition professionals: development and application of the KINDS online questionnaire BMJ Open |
| title | Knowledge and beliefs about dietary inorganic nitrate among UK-based nutrition professionals: development and application of the KINDS online questionnaire |
| title_full | Knowledge and beliefs about dietary inorganic nitrate among UK-based nutrition professionals: development and application of the KINDS online questionnaire |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge and beliefs about dietary inorganic nitrate among UK-based nutrition professionals: development and application of the KINDS online questionnaire |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge and beliefs about dietary inorganic nitrate among UK-based nutrition professionals: development and application of the KINDS online questionnaire |
| title_short | Knowledge and beliefs about dietary inorganic nitrate among UK-based nutrition professionals: development and application of the KINDS online questionnaire |
| title_sort | knowledge and beliefs about dietary inorganic nitrate among uk based nutrition professionals development and application of the kinds online questionnaire |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/10/e030719.full |
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