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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Dermatolog Treat. 2017 Jan 24;28(6):523–538. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2016.1278071

Table 4.

Attitudes or perceptions about diet.

Survey questions regarding attitudes or perceptions about diet N (%)
How difficult/burdensome is it to follow a special diet?
 Very difficult 32 (18.9)
 Somewhat difficult 72 (42.6)
 Not difficult 35 (20.7)
 Not applicable 30 (17.8)
What difficulties did you encounter modifying your diet?
 Will power/too limiting 45 (44.1)
 Time/inconvenience 20 (19.6)
 Family/social pressures 11 (10.7)
 Dining out/travel 22 (21.5)
 Affordability 8 (7.8)
 Access 11 (10.8)
How time-consuming is it to follow a special diet?
 Very time-consuming 31 (18.3)
 Somewhat time-consuming 62 (36.7)
 Not time-consuming 45 (26.6)
 Not applicable 31 (18.3)
How expensive is it to modify your diet?
 Very expensive 22 (13.0)
 Somewhat expensive 74 (43.8)
 Not expensive 43 (25.4)
 Not Applicable 30 (17.8)
What motivated you to try dietary modification for your skin condition?
 Other treatments failed 72 (42.6)
 Recommended by friends/family 27 (16.0)
 Recommended by other patients 17 (10.1)
 It is a natural method 52 (30.8)
 It might improve other health problems 55 (32.5)
 I have not tried a diet modification 41 (24.3)
 Other 16 (9.5)
How important is it that physicians discuss with patients the role of diet in managing skin disease?
 Very important 121 (71.6)
 Somewhat important 37 (21.9)
 Minimally important 6 (3.6)
 Not important at all 5 (3.0)
Have you ever discussed dietary changes with your dermatologist?
 Yes, I discussed dietary changes with my dermatologist 55 (32.5)
 No, I have not discussed dietary changes with my dermatologist 78 (46.2)
 I haven’t tried any dietary changes 36 (21.3)
The importance of diet compared to other interventions or treatments for management of the Eczema
 Diet is more important than taking prescription medications 61 (36.1)
 Diet is more important than over-the-counter medications 64 (37.9)
 Diet is more important than complimentary medications 54 (32.0)
 Diet is more important than exercise 52 (30.8)
 Diet is more important than stress reduction 19 (11.2)
Currently, what role is diet playing in managing your skin condition
 Skin condition complete controlled with diet 1 (0.6)
 Diet is helping significantly with skin condition 29 (17.2)
 Diet is helping slightly with skin condition 44 (26.0)
 Diet has no effect on skin condition 18 (10.7)
 Not sure how diet effects skin condition 72 (42.6)
 Other 5 (3.0)
How did you learn about the foods/drink that affect your skin condition
 Family 30 (17.8)
 Friends 20 (11.8)
 Other patients 17 (10.1)
 Trial and error 77 (45.6)
 Internet 76 (45.0)
 TV 6 (3.6)
 Books 27 (16.0)
 Other 25 (14.8)
 Not applicable 30 (17.8)