Resumo

SCHNEL, Mercedes. Beliefs and food. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2014, vol.27, n.1, pp.88-95. ISSN 0798-0752.

There has been an increase in overweight, obesity and diminished physical activity worldwide. In Venezuela the presence of metabolic syndrome was reported, therefore the change in dietary habits is mandatory. Preventive nutritional interventions should be a continuum from preconception until late childhood making a change in family habits. Traditionally nutrition educational programs inform and teach but the results measured as nutritional habit changes are poor due to the fact that there is no systematic nutritional intervention policy. The counter example is the “Food Dudes” program with excellent results. Nonetheless recent reviews showed that if the program is not maintained the results do not consolidate. Therefore a phase II is being implemented. This paper reviews other evidences showing that when a behavioral change is proposed personal and cultural beliefs could be partly responsible for the resistance to change, as it derives from the three behavioral models discussed. Strategies to confront and negotiate opposing beliefs are suggested in order to modify the belief system of the population into one prone to the behavioral change. An intervention model is reviewed and factors in the initiating, enacting and maintaining phases of behavioral change are discussed.

Palavras-chave : Beliefs; food; health models; eating disorders; obesity.

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