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Nutrition Knowledge and Attitude Towards Nutrition Counseling Among Osteopathic Medical Students

Hargrove, Emily J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1469139245

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Food and Nutrition Sciences (Health Sciences and Professions).
Despite the increasing emphasis on changing dietary practices to improve health, nutrition education is lacking in many healthcare training programs. Many health conditions and diseases can be minimized or managed with appropriate and adequate nutrition education. However, medical schools do not provide sufficient nutrition education to prepare future physicians to give specific dietary recommendations. This research study was designed to better understand the nutrition knowledge and attitudes towards nutrition counseling of osteopathic medical students, whose focus is on holistic medicine. The participants completed an online Qualtrics survey with a demographic questionnaire, a previous nutrition knowledge and nutrition experiences questionnaire, a nutrition knowledge multiple-choice quiz, and questions from two previously validated studies on nutrition in patient care and self-perceived proficiency in nutrition. A sample of 257 first and second year medical students (mean age = 24.8 ± 3.4 years, 53.0% female, and 79.0% white/Caucasian) completed the survey. The mean score on the nutrition knowledge quiz was 69.9% with a significant difference between first and second year students (66% vs. 74%, p < 0.001). 59% (n = 143) of students felt comfortable counseling patients on nutrition recommendations, but only 12% (n = 213) were aware of the current DRI nutrition guidelines. Qualitatively, most students noted the importance of nutrition in medical school, particularly in providing patient education, overall health and wellness, and preventing and treating disease. Despite the perceived importance of nutrition education and comfort level with counseling patients, most students lacked nutrition knowledge and information about dietary guidelines. These findings provide empirical support for the integration of more nutrition education into medical school curricula.
Darlene Berryman (Advisor)
Elizabeth Beverly (Committee Member)
Jennifer Yoder (Committee Member)
102 p.
Nutrition
Nutrition; Medical Education; Osteopathic Medicine

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hargrove, E. J. (2016). Nutrition Knowledge and Attitude Towards Nutrition Counseling Among Osteopathic Medical Students [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1469139245

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hargrove, Emily. Nutrition Knowledge and Attitude Towards Nutrition Counseling Among Osteopathic Medical Students. 2016. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1469139245.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hargrove, Emily. "Nutrition Knowledge and Attitude Towards Nutrition Counseling Among Osteopathic Medical Students." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1469139245

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.