Background/Objectives: Although the exact etiology of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) is not yet fully understood, recent evidence suggests that both genetic and dietary factors are involved in their pathogenesis. The aim of the present exploratory study was to investigate how first-degree relatives (FDRs) of individuals with IBD perceive genetic risk and the role of diet in IBD prevention. Methods: A mixed methods approach was followed. A total of 103 unaffected FDRs of individuals living with IBD in Greece participated in an online questionnaire examining demographic characteristics, disease-related knowledge, risk perception, and beliefs about the role of diet in IBD onset and prevention. Through 16 semi-structured interviews, the beliefs of unaffected FDRs, their dietary practices and the factors affecting those practices for IBD prevention were investigated using Framework analysis guided by the Health Belief Model. Results: Quantitative findings showed that perceived importance of diet was the strongest predictor of dietary change, while genetic beliefs were associated with reduced preventive behaviors despite professional consultation. Qualitative findings provided a deeper understanding of participants’ beliefs, highlighting that diet was mainly viewed as relevant to IBD management rather than prevention. Fear of disease onset and healthcare professional guidance were perceived as key facilitators of dietary changes. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need for individualized dietary counselling and improved risk communication, to enhance implementation of preventive dietary practices and bridge the gap between knowledge and behavior in IBD prevention.

Background/Objectives: Although the exact etiology of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) is not yet fully understood, recent evidence suggests that both genetic and dietary factors are involved in their pathogenesis. The aim of the present exploratory study was to investigate how first-degree relatives (FDRs) of individuals with IBD perceive familial risk and the role of diet in IBD onset and prevention. Methods: A mixed methods approach was followed. A total of 103 unaffected FDRs of individuals living with IBD in Greece participated in an online questionnaire examining demographic characteristics, disease-related knowledge, risk perception, and beliefs about the role of diet in IBD. In parallel, 16 semi-structured interviews explored participants’ beliefs, self-reported dietary practices, and the factors shaping them using a framework analysis guided by the Health Belief Model. Results: Exploratory quantitative findings indicated that belief in the role of diet was associated with higher odds of self-reported family dietary changes, while belief in genetic risk was associated with lower odds of self-reported family dietary changes. The findings did not characterize the nature, maintenance, or motivation of these changes. Qualitative findings provided a deeper understanding of participants’ beliefs, highlighting that diet was mainly viewed as relevant to IBD management rather than prevention. Fear of disease onset and healthcare professional guidance were perceived as key facilitators of dietary changes. Conclusions: Our findings highlight heterogeneous beliefs regarding familial IBD risk and self-reported family diet changes, and support future research addressing balanced familial-risk communication for unaffected FDRs.

Background/Objectives: Coeliac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals with a higher prevalence among first-degree relatives. Despite its established hereditary risk, little is known about how parents with at least one child with CD perceive this risk in their unaffected children. This study examined parental perceptions and dietary practices regarding CD prevention in unaffected children. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted. The quantitative component consisted of an online questionnaire survey in parents in Greece. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis. The qualitative component included semi-structured interviews with parents of children with CD and unaffected children in Greece. Data were analyzed using framework analysis. Results: Although parents demonstrated high awareness of genetic risk, this was not translated into preventive dietary modifications. Belief in the role of diet as preventive CD strategy emerged as the only significant predictor of dietary change. Diet was widely recognised as important for overall health or as a therapeutic regimen for children living with CD; however, it was not perceived as a preventive strategy for CD. Reported family barriers to adopting a healthy diet included financial constraints and limited guidance, whereas advice from healthcare professionals emerged as a key facilitator of dietary change. Conclusions: Although parents recognize the genetic risk to CD, they rarely implement dietary changes as CD preventive behavior for their unaffected children. These findings underscore the need for clearer dietary guidance and targeted professional support for families with children with CD and unaffected siblings.

Background/Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals with higher prevalence among first-degree relatives. Despite its hereditary risk, little is known about how parents with at least one child with CD perceive this risk in unaffected children. This study examined parental perceptions and dietary practices regarding CD prevention in unaffected children. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted in Greek parents using an online questionnaire for the quantitative component and semi-structured interviews for the qualitative. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed using framework analysis. Results: Although parents demonstrated high awareness of genetic risk, this was not translated into preventive dietary modifications. Belief in the role of diet as a preventive CD strategy emerged as the only significant predictor of dietary change. Diet was widely recognized as important for overall health or as a therapeutic regimen for children living with CD; however, it was not perceived as a preventive strategy for CD. Reported family barriers to adopting a healthy diet included financial constraints and limited guidance, whereas advice from healthcare professionals emerged as a key facilitator of dietary change. Conclusions: Although parents recognize the genetic risk of CD, they rarely implement dietary changes as CD preventive behavior for their unaffected children. These findings highlight the potential value of clearer dietary guidance and targeted professional support for families with children with CD and unaffected siblings.