Are exercise professionals fit to provide nutrition advice? An evaluation of general nutrition knowledge

Mark McKean; Lachlan Mitchell; Helen O'Connor; Tania Prvan; Gary J Slater

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2018.08.018

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Are exercise professionals fit to provide nutrition advice? An evaluation of general nutrition knowledge

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Are exercise professionals fit to provide nutrition advice? An evaluation of general nutrition knowledge

Mark McKean, Lachlan Mitchell, Helen O'Connor, Tania Prvan and Gary J Slater

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol.22(3), pp.264-268

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2018.08.018

PMID: 30236846

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Abstract

nutrition knowledge

exercise professionals

diet-disease relationship

scope of practice

Objectives: Registered exercise professionals (REP) are trained to provide structured exercise recommendations and general nutrition advice to healthy clients. However REP provide specific nutrition advice beyond their scope of practice, including diet-disease advice. The present study aims to investigate the level of general nutrition knowledge of REP, and compare this to a sample of community members (CTM), and university trained dietitians (DN). Design: Age-matched REP, CTM and DN were recruited to complete the previously validated revised-general nutrition knowledge questionnaire. Methods: Total nutrition knowledge score and section scores were compared between REP, CTM and DN. The impact of sex, age, level of education, and years' experience on nutrition knowledge was investigated. Results: A total of 554 participants completed the questionnaire (REP, n = 161; CTM, n = 357; DN, n = 36). The DN group performed significantly better overall (DN, 91.2±4.6; REP, 78.4±9.6; CTM, 75.4±11.3) and for knowledge of dietary guidelines (DN, 82.3±20.7; REP, 80.5±15.5; CTM, 80.0±14.1), nutrient content of foods (DN, 92.6±4.4; REP, 80.9±9.9; CTM, 75.7±12.0), and diet-disease relationships (DN, 91.4±9.7; REP, 65.4±18.0; CTM, 68.6±11.1) compared to the REP and CTM groups (p < 0.001). Sex, education and age were all significant predictors of total nutrition knowledge (p < 0.0005). Conclusions: Total nutrition knowledge and knowledge of diet-disease relationships is limited in REP. Encouraging REP to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, including DN, will assist in providing optimal client care in achieving health and body composition related goals.

Details

Title: Are exercise professionals fit to provide nutrition advice? An evaluation of general nutrition knowledge
Authors: Mark McKean (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health & Sport Sciences
Lachlan Mitchell (Author) - University of Sydney
Helen O'Connor (Author) - University of Sydney
Tania Prvan (Author) - Macquarie University
Gary J Slater (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health & Sport Sciences
Publication details: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol.22(3), pp.264-268
Publisher: Elsevier Australia
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.08.018
ISSN: 1440-2440
PMID: 30236846
Organisation Unit: High Performance Sport - Legacy; School of Health - High Performance Sport; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450654702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Sport Sciences

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