Dietetics Students' Perceptions of Academic and Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examined dietetics students' perceptions of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacts on academics and mental and physical health. Data were collected via a cross-sectional online survey in February to March 2021 from undergraduate dietetics students across the United States. Among the 526 students who participated, during the fall 2020 semester, 87% experienced increased stress, 64% reported mental health concerns, and 32% reported disordered eating. Sixty-two percent agreed their program met educational needs; however, 62% also agreed COVID-19 negatively impacted the quality of education and 49% agreed to learning less than normal. Pandemic impacts are critical to consider as students enter dietetic internships and start careers.