Eating Disorders among Dietetics Students: An Educator’s Dilemma

Disordered Eating Behaviors and Food Addiction among Nutrition Major College Students

“…Concerns of high eating disorder prevalence in nutrition students have been expressed widely by nutrition educators of the world [13,59]. The current study did not find a higher prevalence of disordered eating behavior among nutrition majors than other majors; however, overall 10% of participants reported disordered eating behaviors indicating the need of increasing awareness of eating disorders among college students.…”

Eating attitudes and behaviours of students enrolled in undergraduate nutrition and dietetics degrees

“…Other studies have found no difference in eating behaviours when compared with students from other health‐ and non‐health‐related degrees. Nevertheless, the suggestion that students undertaking nutrition degrees may be at higher risk of disordered eating presents a real ethical dilemma for educators and professional bodies . Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to assess the eating attitudes and behaviours of students enrolled in undergraduate professionally accredited nutrition and dietetics and non‐accredited nutrition degrees in an Australian university.…”

Communication in the Disciplines: Interpersonal Communication in Dietetics

“…The dietetics faculty work to incorporate into their curriculum opportunities for students to realize ways that their self-concepts, particularly their vulnerabilities, might adversely influence their interactions with clients. Studies have found that registered dietitians are more susceptible to eating disorders than are other professionals (Houston et al, 2008) and tend to interact in nonconstructive ways with obese clients (Puhl el al., 2009). The faculty want the dietary interventions proposed by registered dietitians to be motivated by self concepts that include healthy attitudes toward food and diet:…”

“…In addition, a required internship following completion of undergraduate requirements includes additional communication learning outcomes that must be met (ADA, 2009c). An informal review of resources for dietetics education also reflects this professional commitment to oral communication (see, e.g., Curry & Jaffe, 1998;Gable, 2007;Holli, Maillet, Beto, & Calabrese, 2009;Houston, Bassler, & Anderson, 2008;Payne-Palacio & Canter, 2006;Puhl, Whorton, & Hever, 2009;Rollnick, Miller, & Butler, 2008;Snetselaar, 2009;Stein, 2009). …”