Attitudes and perceptions on the role of preceptors in dietetic internships were assessed by an online survey among 552 registered dietitians and other nutrition professionals. Significant differences were observed in the scores concerning the value of the preceptor role, institutional support for precepting, and benefits of interns by preceptor experience categories. More nonpreceptors wanted input on selection and scheduling interns, preceptor training, and access to an "on-call" preceptor specialist than current or former preceptors. Continuing professional education units were more popular than financial compensation as an incentive for supervising interns. Addressing these concerns may encourage greater dietetic internship preceptor participation.

This article summarizes current findings regarding the use of low-glycemic index (GI) diets for weight loss and type 2 diabetes control. Results from cross-sectional studies evaluating the association between dietary GI and body mass index had equivocal results, especially when dietary fiber was included in the model. Of five prospective cohort studies, two reported increased risk of type 2 diabetes diagnosis with higher dietary GI or glycemic load (GL). Risk of type 2 diabetes appeared to have a stronger association with carbohydrate intake or GL than with GI. Evidence from intervention studies using a low-GI approach for weight loss produced inconsistent results, especially for longer-term studies. In intervention studies with type 2 diabetes patients, consumption of a low-GI diet resulted in lower hemoglobin A1c concentrations in participants of shorter-term studies. Recent evidence adds to the controversy regarding the effectiveness of consuming low-GI diets for glycemic control and weight reduction.