Management of Obesity - Dietitians
Obesity Study Aim
To document attitudes and current practices of Australian dietitians in
the management of overweight and obesity, and to examine their training
needs.
Obesity Study Method
Cross-sectional postal survey of a randomly selected sample of members
of the Dietitians Association of Australia. Subjects included 400
dietitians (66 percent of those surveyed).
Obesity Study Measurements
Questionnaire-based measures of dietitian's views of obesity, education
and training in weight management, definitions and perceptions of success,
professional preparedness, approaches to weight management, strategies
recommended for weight management, and problems and frustrations experienced.
Obesity Study Results
Dietitians viewed themselves as potential leaders in the field of weight
management, and saw this area as an important part of their role. While
they considered themselves to be the best-trained professionals in this
area, many felt that their training was poor and many were pessimistic
about intervention outcomes. Despite this, most dietitians held views
that were current, and regularly employed many of the elements of known
best practice in management. However, important areas of weakness included:
providing opportunities for long-term follow-up; providing a range of
management interventions; promoting self-monitoring of diet and exercise;
and promoting opportunities for social support.
Obesity Study Conclusion
This study suggests that training in and advocacy for the management and
prevention of overweight and obesity are priority areas for dietitians,
and that formal studies to evaluate dietitians' effectiveness in management
should be undertaken.
Source: International Journal of Obesity
(2000)
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