Doctors and the provision of advice on nutrition

Summarizes some key findings from surveys conducted by the National Dairy Council to establish attitudes towards nutrition and the provision of dietary advice among GPs and the general public. Examines the confidence of GPs in explaining terms and concepts relating to nutrition. Reveals uncertainty among both health professionals and the public. Looks at factors which affect people’s ability to change their eating habits. Finally, considers ways to improve the situation, suggesting, for example, greater training in basic nutrition for medical students at undergraduate level and in‐service training in nutrition for practice team staff by dietitians.