title: The personal nutrition-related attitudes and behaviors of Australian optometrists: is there evidence for an evidence-based approach?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the personal nutrition-related attitudes and behaviors of Australian optometrists and, in particular, their understanding of the evidence relating to the merit of specific dietary supplements, as applicable to their own health.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was distributed to optometrists registered in Australia (N = 4242). Respondents anonymously provided information regarding their demographic characteristics (age, sex, practice location and modality), diet and lifestyle behaviors (assessment of self-perceived diet quality, smoking status), and nutritional supplement intake (including the rationale for consumption).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Completed surveys were received from 283 practitioners. Although most respondents considered themselves to eat a healthy, balanced diet, approximately 75% indicated taking nutritional supplements in the preceding year. The four most common supplements were fish oil/ω-3 (62%), multivitamins (54%), vitamin C (30%), and vitamin D (29%). In addition to vitamin D, which was typically recommended by a general medical practitioner for an established deficiency, the other three supplement categories were consumed on the basis of the respondents' self-assessment and decision. Analyses of the motivations for taking these supplements highlighted a significant misunderstanding of the evidence; furthermore, these practitioners appeared to base their personal behaviors on this misinterpretation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate scope for optometrists to enhance their critical thinking and/or understanding of the available evidence relating to the merit, or otherwise, of nutritional supplementation in managing their own health, and more broadly, improving their understanding of what a healthy diet is and its role in eye health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: Ldownie@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Downie
authors.affiliation: Marie-Claire O'Shea Dietitians, Ashmore, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Macular Research Unit, Centre for Eye Research Australia, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Keller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014815:Vitamins
chemical_list: D005395:Fish Oils; D014815:Vitamins
keywords: Dietary supplement; Evidence-based practice; Nutrition; Optometry; Vitamins