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Bile acid diarrhea (BAD) is a chronic gastrointestinal (GI) condition commonly linked with persistent diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, bloating, and impaired quality of life.
A strong belief that a low-fat diet improves gastrointestinal symptoms significantly influences dietary fat restriction in individuals with bile acid diarrhea.
Bile acid diarrhea (BAD) is a chronic gastrointestinal (GI) condition commonly linked with persistent diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, bloating, and impaired quality of life. Although low-fat dietary management is frequently advocated for symptom control, evidence supporting its potency remains limited. Nevertheless, many patients continue to restrict dietary fat intake to reduce GI symptoms. This study investigated the key behavioural and clinical factors influencing adherence to a low-fat diet in individuals with BAD.
A cross-sectional online survey was executed among adults in the United Kingdom with a self-reported BAD detection. Volunteers were recruited through digital platforms using convenience sampling methods. Data collected were demographic details, clinical characteristics, GI symptoms, and low-fat diet adherence status. Predictors influencing the intention to decrease dietary fat consumption were evaluated via a modified validated questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was applied to check significant associations.
Among 434 respondents, 49% were current followers of a low-fat diet, 34% were past followers, and 17% had never followed a low-fat diet. Chronic diarrhoea was reported by 79% of current followers, 83% of past followers, and 78% of non-followers. Stronger intentions to decrease fat intake were markedly linked with beliefs regarding the health necessity of dietary fat restriction and its perceived potency in improving diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and overall gut symptom control.
Compared with past followers, current followers exhibited increased odds of believing that reducing fat intake was fundamental for health improvement and GI symptom management. Similar associations were noted when comparing current followers with non-followers.
Perceptions regarding the health benefits of fat reduction and its role in controlling chronic GI symptoms strongly influence dietary behaviour in individuals with BAD. Understanding these behavioural drivers may help improve dietary counselling, symptom management, and personalized treatment strategies for BAD. Future research must further explore dietary behaviour patterns beyond fat restriction to support the development of better therapies for digestive health, symptom relief, and weight management.
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Practices, Attitudes, Perceived Knowledge, and Intentions Underlying Low‐Fat Dietary Behaviours in Adults Living With Bile Acid Diarrhoea: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Yvonne A McKenzie et al.
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