Data were reviewed from 73 consecutive medical charts of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus using insulin pumps for more than 6 months at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. Statistically significant differences in HbA1c (-0.8%), body mass index (+1.45 kg/m2) and total daily dose of insulin (-0.23 U/kg/day) were found between the start of pump use and evaluation 6-30 months later. There was a close correlation between the HbA1c before and after 6-30 months of pump therapy.

Unsuccessful applicants met academic and other requirements for admission to dietetic internship programs in Ontario. Insufficient training opportunities, costs associated with internship, and competition may be contributing to a loss of human potential in dietetics.

Purpose: Self-reported coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic effects on dietetic job search, employment, and practice of recent graduates were explored within a national workforce survey. Methods: Graduates (2015–2020) who were registered/licensed dietitians or eligible to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam were recruited through dietetic programmes, Dietitians of Canada’s communication channels, and social media. The online survey, available in English and French from August through October 2020, included questions about pandemic experiences. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were applied to closed and open-ended responses, respectively. Results: Thirty-four percent of survey respondents (n = 524) indicated pandemic effects on job search and described delayed entry into dietetics, fewer job opportunities, and challenges including restricted work between sites. The pandemic affected employment for 44% of respondents; of these, 45% indicated working from home, 45% provided virtual counselling, 7% were redeployed within dietetics, 14% provided nondietetic COVID-19 support, and 6% were furloughed or laid off. Changed work hours, predominantly reduced, were identified by 29%. Changes in pay, identified by 12%, included loss (e.g., raises deferred) or gain (e.g., pandemic pay). Fear of infection and stress about careers and finances were expressed. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected both acquiring positions and employment in 2020 for recent dietetic graduates.

In 2013, 4 partner organizations: Dietitians of Canada (DC); Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association; Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and Ontario Ministry of Education created “Fresh from the Farm” (FFF), a healthy fundraiser for Ontario Schools. FFF was designed to support the Ontario government’s School Food and Beverage Policy and Local Food Act and to provide a feasible alternative for less healthy fundraising options. This paper outlines the program successes and challenges over the 6 years of DC’s involvement. After 6 years, over 1700 schools successfully participated in FFF and over $2 million has been paid to Ontario farmers for product and distribution. The average participating school has generated $2040 in sales towards their fundraising efforts, equating to 770 kg (1700 lbs) of fresh produce per school. Schools reported high satisfaction with FFF, with over 90% of participating schools enrolling in subsequent years. The main reasons for satisfaction included: easy to implement, profitable, offers a healthy alternative to “traditional” fundraising programs, and provides great value for cost. The main challenges were logistics of sourcing and delivery, higher than anticipated costs that made the financial model less feasible than predicted, and competition from other fundraisers.

The increased prevalence of childhood obesity has led to rising rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in youth. Recommended nutrition strategies for children with T2DM are not well delineated. Adult recommendations for T2DM do not take into account different stages of physical and psychological growth. Nutrition recommendations for children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) also are not applicable to youth with T2DM, who generally require interventions to promote weight loss. A nutrition education program was developed for youth with T2DM, with attention to current nutrition recommendations and the delivery of nutrition education to obese children, children with T1DM, adults with T2DM, and children with T2DM. Together with program development strategies, a summary of relevant content and mode of delivery is presented for a nutrition education program intended specifically for youth with T2DM at The Hospital for Sick Children.