Journal article
Nutrition knowledge of dietetic undergraduate students: An exploratory study
Nutrition & dietetics, Vol.73(3), pp.260-267
2016
Abstract
Aim: To describe the level of nutrition knowledge in students undertaking an accredited nutrition and dietetics (ND) undergraduate program in reference to students enrolled in non-accredited nutrition (NUT) or occupational therapy (OT) programs. The secondary aim was to investigate the variation in nutrition knowledge of ND students. Methods: Students enrolled in ND, NUT or OT undergraduate programs at an Australian university were invited to participate in an online survey in August 2013. Nutrition knowledge levels were measured using the validated Re-examined General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (R-GNKQ). Socio-demographic characteristics and sources of nutrition information were also collected. Results: Students in the first year of ND or NUT programs had significantly higher overall scores than the OT students (P = 0.046 and P = 0.005, respectively). Substantially greater overall scores were observed for the students in the second year of the ND program than those in the first year (P = 0.01). The highest level of nutrition knowledge was observed in third year ND students. Overall score for ND students was influenced by year level and previous education, but there were no differences detected for gender, age, living situation or ethnicity. Conclusions: ND students entered the program with high nutrition knowledge levels. The dietetic program appeared to develop the general nutrition knowledge of students to a level comparable to practising dietitians. Research investigating underlying knowledge development is necessary to direct dietetic curriculum design and delivery.
Details
- Title
- Nutrition knowledge of dietetic undergraduate students: An exploratory study
- Authors
- Kristin Lawrence (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringFiona Pelly (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringTetyana Rocks (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Nutrition & dietetics, Vol.73(3), pp.260-267
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
- Date published
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1111/1747-0080.12232
- ISSN
- 1446-6368
- Organisation Unit
- 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
- 99449810402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
18 File views/ downloads
884 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Web Of Science research areas
- Nutrition & Dietetics
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites