The difference in compliance with established dietary standards of entry-level dietitians and dietitians practicing longer than three years in Indiana

• Main Author: Sewell, Cara A.
• Other Authors: Ball State University. Dept. of Family and Consumer Sciences.
• Format: Others
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Dietitians.; Diet.; Food habits.
• Online Access: http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/185437; http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/941353

As role models and experts in nutrition, registered dietitians have the responsibility of educating the public about appropriate nutrition practices. The purpose of this study was to compare physical characteristics and dietary intake of entry-level dietitians(ELD) and non-entry level dietitians (HELD) in Indiana through a mailed personal history questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire. Most of the dietitians reported a weight that was normal or overweight when compared to their ideal body weight. Very few were underweight, yet an average of 36.2 % of all the dietitians were overweight. Statistically, the findings of this study indicated that there was no significant difference in compliance with the established standards of the Food Guide Pyramid between the ELD and HELD in any of the food groups. Secondly, there was not a significant difference in overall compliance between the two groups of dietitians. These results could indicate that registered dietitians are not forgetting the importance of proper nutrition and are continuing to model positive dietary behaviors as they continue in the profession. === Department of Family and Consumer Sciences