Abstract

Objective:  To explore the barriers and facilitators for following a brain-healthy dietary pattern by assessing readiness, cognitive dietary adherence, eating competence, quality of life, and health beliefs in midlife adults. Design: Quantitative cross-sectional online survey. Participants: Adults aged 30-60 years (N=189) recruited through social media, flyers, email, and text. Main outcome measures: Readiness to adopt a brain-healthy dietary pattern, eating competence, health beliefs, quality of life, and dietary adherence to a brain-healthy pattern such as the MIND diet. Analysis: Descriptive statistics, ANOVAs, Chi-Square, and correlations were conducted to explore associations among readiness, eating competence, health beliefs, quality of life, and dietary adherence. Results:  Of 189 participants, most were unaware of eating for brain health. Readiness to adopt a brain-healthy diet was associated with higher MIND diet scores with those unaware or not interested reporting the lowest scores (10.0 +/- 2.8 vs 7.7 +/- 2.1 vs 7.6 +/- 2.2; P< 0.001), greater eating competence in those interested compared to those unaware or not interested (35.6 +/- 7.3 vs 29.5 +/- 8.2; P=0.008), lower perceived barriers than both those unaware/not interested or contemplating (6.5 +/- 2.8 vs 8.6 +/- 2.6 vs 9.9 +/- 2.0; P< 0.001), greater perceived benefits (14.0 +/- 1.4 vs 12.4 +/- 2.2; P=0.02), and greater self-efficacy (9.4 +/- 0.7 vs 8.2 +/- 1.7 vs 7.7 +/- 1.8; P< 0.001). MIND diet scores were positively associated with eating competence(r=0.4; P< 0.001), quality of life (r=0.3, P< 0.001; r=0.2, P=0.002), and self-efficacy(r=0.3; P< 0.001) and negatively associated with perceived barriers(r=-0.5; P< 0.001).  Conclusion and implications:  This study identified barriers and facilitators for following a brain-healthy dietary pattern, such as the MIND diet, among midlife adults. Many participants were unaware of the connection between nutrition and cognitive health, highlighting a need for targeted education. Associations among readiness, eating competence, health beliefs, and diet quality suggest focal points for improving awareness and adoption of brain-healthy eating. These findings demonstrated the value of exploring this topic and provide guidance for future studies of larger and more diverse samples.

Publication Date

4-17-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Dietetics and Nutrition (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Wegmans School of Health and Nutrition

College

College of Health Sciences and Technology

Advisor

Barabara Lohse

Advisor/Committee Member

Jessamy Comer

Advisor/Committee Member

Stephanie Godleski

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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