Knowledge, attitudes and behavior of Gulf medical students in relation to Food Dome dietary guidelines: a mixed-method research.

Abstract

This mixed-methods research is the first to explore knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in relation to the Food Dome dietary guidelines (FDDG) among Gulf medical students. Quantitative phase included the administration of Food Dome questionnaire among n = 414 students; qualitative phase used focus group discussions. The quantitative findings show that more than half the sample reported that they had heard of the FDDG (55.3%), of which 15.7% followed and 39.6% did not follow the FDDG. An average female knew more about and behaved more in line with the guidelines, Bahrainis and Saudis were more aware than Kuwaitis on average, and those aged 21 or more showed, on average, more behaviour consistency with the FDDG. The qualitative findings show that the food choices of the Gulf medical students largely depend on time, university load, availability, and taste. Suggested recommendations include educational campaigns, FDDG application examples, teaching children from an early age.