Many docs oppose trans fat ban: survey

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - There seems to be little support among U.S. doctors for laws banning artificial trans fats in public restaurants.

Among a national survey of 600 doctors conducted during December 5-6 in response to New York City's decision to phase out artery-clogging artificial trans fats from public restaurants, more than half (53 percent) indicated that they would be opposed to a national law that would ban trans fats in restaurants.

Forty-nine percent indicated that the US government does not have the right to implement such a law.

"This is consistent with (doctors) laisser-faire attitude related to government," said Glenn R. Kessler, managing partner of HCD Research. "While doctors believe trans fats are dangerous and while many believe there will be benefits to the law, they are against the law," Kessler said.

The survey was conducted by HCD Research, a marketing and communications research company based in Flemington, New Jersey, and Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion.

Among the other key findings -- less than half of the doctors (47 percent) believe that a law banning trans fats from restaurants in New York City will have a significant impact on the health of those who eat there.

The majority of doctors (83 percent) reported that "food containing trans fats is a significant risk factor for heart disease." However, less than half (44 percent) reported talking to their patients about the harmful effects of foods containing trans fats. Trans fats increase the chance of heart attack, stroke and death by increasing bad LDL cholesterol and reducing good HDL cholesterol.

Kessler told Reuters Health that he was "a little surprised that the relatively small percentage of doctors who discuss the dangers of trans fats with patients."

"I see that as a general trend in medicine that physicians have less time to spend with patients and they treat issues that are presented to them than the traditional family physician who talks about to handle your life related to health."