Nutritional practices, knowledge, and attitudes of psychiatric healthcare professionals: unexpected results

This study investigated inter-relationships among nutrition knowledge, habits, and attitudes of psychiatric healthcare providers. Data of nutritional intake was compared with that of the general population of the state of South Carolina, obtained from a previous public health study. Nutritional habits were determined from both a 24-hour recall and a separate three-day recall of dietary intake. Nutrition knowledge and attitudes were determined by validated questionnaires. The knowledge questionnaire consisted of 50 multiple-choice questions. Attitudes were determined using a semantic differential instrument consisting of phrases of descriptive bipolar adjectives. Dietary intake was analyzed using the Food Processor software and compared with the RDAs and with the intake of the general population. Nutrition knowledge was measured by the number of correct responses. Nutrition attitudes were assigned numerical scores and measured by a Likert scale. Only 3 of the subjects met 70% of indicator nutrients (iron, calcium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C). No significant relationships were established among attitudes, habits, and knowledge. Sixty-three percent of subjects perceived themselves as role models to patients, yet 90% of them practiced poor nutrition habits as compared with 97% of the general population. The higher the education level, the more likely that subjects felt nutrition is important for health. A comprehensive nutrition education program is essential for health care providers to promote successful nutrition education for the patients they serve.