Non-Dieting Focused Weight Management Curriculum in Current Accredited US Dietetic Programs: Awareness, Interest, Prevalence, and Predictors (P07-003-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesNon-dieting, weight neutral approaches (NDWN) to weight management that focus on non-restrictive dieting and healthy weight, such as Health at Every Size (HAES), have been effective in weight management practices, but the degree of assimilation in U.S. dietetics programs is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the awareness and prevalence of, and interest in non-dieting focused weight management curriculum and determine factors associated with the presence of the curriculum in Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited dietetic programs in the U.S. MethodsDirectors of all US dietetic Coordinated Programs (CP) (n = 60) and Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) (n = 214) were sent an online cross-sectional survey via RedCap software. For inclusion, programs were required to be an ACEND accredited CP or DPD program. The survey included questions about the program, student and faculty demographics, program structure, and topics pertaining to NDWN curriculum including knowledge, awareness, and interest in a NDWN approach to weight management. Results were analyzed using a chi-square test with continuity correction in R Studio Version 1.1.463. ResultsOf the 106 programs (39%) that responded, most (94.3%) reported knowledge of NDWN approaches to weight management such as HAES. While awareness was high, a smaller amount of schools (72%) included NDWN into their curriculum, and this was primarily accomplished in a single lecture (54%). Programs with NDWN curriculum were significantly more likely to be DPD (78%) as compared to CP (54%, P = 0.04). No other differences between program types were found. For programs without NDWN, most (71%) indicated interest in having NDWN in the curriculum. The most common factors that kept programs from including NDWN were: 1) lack of trained and knowledgeable staff (48%) and, 2) insufficient space in the curriculum to incorporate additional topics (43%). ConclusionsFindings suggest that many programs have adopted NDWN curriculum, with the majority being DPD programs, but that some US dietetic programs have fixable barriers to incorporation. Efforts should be made to better train dietetic program staff, and rework curriculum to prioritize this important topic. Funding SourcesNone.