Background: The Eatwell Plate (FSA, 2007) is the current national food guide model recommended for use in Scotland. The model is essentially qualitative and introduces the five main food groups used in nutritional planning, illustrates the types of foods and drinks contained within each group and indicates the recommended 'balance' between these groups for a healthy diet. However, it is recognised that a useful practical addition to the model may be the inclusion of quantitative guidance on portion sizes of commonly consumed foods. The current work is part of a programme which aims to ascertain the perceived utility of portion size tools in the general public and health professionals. Methods: Six single gender focus group discussions, quota sampled by age, gender and socio-economic status were undertaken in urban areas of central Scotland. Flexible and open-ended questioning procedures were used to stimulate discussion followed by the use of prompt materials to encourage active reflection. Discussionsfocussed on the issues of identifying and attaining appropriate portion sizes and on what type of tools might be helpful in identifying them (e.g. household measures plus/minus specific written and numerical information). The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed for content analysis on perceived need for guidance and practical ideas for assistance. Results: Overall,participants understood that the general concept of 'portion weight guidance' might be a helpful guide towards selecting appropriate quantities of foods. However, it was clear that several individuals thought that although guidance for the public in general was acceptable it was unnecessary for them personally. The main reasons given for not personally wishing quantitative guidance were perceptions of already 'knowing' appropriate amounts to serve, inability to identify credible and consistent guidance which can be applied to meet the requirements of individuals, and a perception that the breadth of food guidance may be very large to be comprehensible. With respect to the design of the tool, participants stated a preference for simple messages (avoiding technical terminology) with clear, consistent and memorable statements. In addition, it was felt that portions should be depicted in context of overall daily intake (as opposed to per meal) using visually attractive material (e.g. use of colour/pictures/minimal use of words). Communications should also take account of individual differences in daily requirements. Discussion on routes for communicating portion size guidance arising from prompts provided (e.g. the Eatwell Plate) suggested that a simple fridge magnet card or leaflet would be more desirable than websites, information on food labels and detailed plate models. Discussion: The research showed that there is interest in portion size guidance amongst consumers. Tools to assist dietary choices should be simple, compact, easy to use and present consistent and memorable information with flexibility for individual requirements. Conclusion: It is timely to explore ways in which the Eatwell Plate model can be expanded to include quantitiative guidance to aid the selection of a healthy balanced diet. This study was funded by NHS Health Scotland. Reference Food Standards Agency (2007) Food Standards AgencyEatwell Plate. Available at http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/eatwellplatelarge.pdf (accessed on 29 January 2008).
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机译：背景：Eatwell Plate（FSA，2007年）是建议在苏格兰使用的当前国家食品指南模型。该模型本质上是定性的，介绍了营养计划中使用的五个主要食物组，阐明了每个组中所含食物和饮料的类型，并指出了这些组之间为健康饮食所建议的“平衡”。但是，已经认识到，对该模型的一个有用的实用补充可能是包含有关常见食用食品的份量的定量指导。当前的工作是该计划的一部分，该计划的目的是确定大众和卫生专业人员对份量大小工具的感知效用。方法：在苏格兰中部城市地区进行了六个单一的性别焦点小组讨论，按年龄，性别和社会经济地位抽样了配额。灵活而开放的提问程序被用来激发讨论，然后使用即时材料鼓励积极思考。讨论的重点是确定和获得适当的份量大小的问题，以及哪种类型的工具可能有助于识别它们（例如家庭措施加上/减去特定的书面和数字信息）。对访谈进行数字记录并转录，以进行内容分析，以了解所需的指导和实用的帮助想法。结果：总体上，与会人员理解“部分体重指导”的一般概念可能对选择适当数量的食物有帮助。但是，很明显，有几个人认为，尽管一般来说对公众的指导是可以接受的，但对他们本人而言却是不必要的。不亲自要求定量指导的主要原因是对已经“知道”要使用的适量食品的看法，无法确定可用于满足个人需求的可靠且一致的指导意见，以及对食品指导范围的广泛理解很大，可以理解。关于工具的设计，与会人员表示倾向于使用简单的消息（避免使用技术术语），这些消息应具有清晰，一致且令人难忘的陈述。另外，有人认为，应使用视觉上吸引人的材料（例如使用颜色/图片/最少使用单词）来描述每日总摄入量（而不是每餐）的各部分。沟通还应考虑到日常需求中的个体差异。对通过提供的提示（例如Eatwell盘子）产生的传达份量大小指导的途径进行的讨论表明，比起网站，食物标签上的信息和详细的盘子模型，更希望使用简单的冰箱磁卡或传单。讨论：研究表明，消费者对份量大小指导很感兴趣。辅助饮食选择的工具应简单，紧凑，易于使用，并提供一致且令人难忘的信息，并具有针对个人需求的灵活性。结论：适时探索将Eatwell Plate模型扩展到包括定量指导以帮助选择健康均衡饮食的方法。这项研究由NHS Health Scotland资助。参考食品标准局（2007）食品标准局Eatwell Plate。可在http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/eatwellplatelarge.pdf（2008年1月29日访问）上获得。
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