Methodology to evaluate changes in eating and body‐related attitudes, beliefs and behaviors among female graduate students in dietetics (1020.8)

Abstract

Students may enter the dietetics field because of personal experience with disordered eating or body‐related issues and concerns. A graduate school education that leads to increased knowledge of nutrition may lead to healthier eating, body image and physical activity patterns in some students. The purpose of this study was to create a method for evaluating changes in eating and body‐related attitudes, beliefs and behaviors among graduate students in dietetics during their two‐year professional education. To retain the anonymity of each respondent, recruitment requests were e‐mailed to all graduate dietetic students for each data collection period, including a direct link to the study survey at baseline, at the end of respondents’ first academic year, and at the end of their second academic year. Respondents created confidential codes so responses from different time points could be compared. The 185‐item online survey, accessible to participants via REDCap™ software, consisted of several validated instruments. Information was obtained on demographics; dieting & weight history; eating behaviors; physical activity; orthorexia; cognitive restraint; dietary style & intake; intuitive eating; depression; and perceived stress. This method may be a valuable tool for dietetic educators who are in a unique position to address food‐ and body‐related issues held by students early in their professional training.