Sustainability in Canadian Dietetic Practice

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Public Health
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Dietitians (RDs) play a crucial role in promoting dietary patterns aligned with sustainable food systems (SFS).
• Understanding how RDs conceptualize sustainability and engage in SFS is vital for food system transformation.
• Current knowledge gaps exist regarding the specific skills and support RDs need for effective SFS practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Canadian dietitians' understanding of sustainability within food systems.
• To identify current sustainable food system (SFS) activities undertaken by dietitians.
• To determine the perceived knowledge, skills, and support required for dietitians practicing in SFS.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to a convenience sample of 92 Canadian dietitians.
• Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
• Qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis, and practice activities were mapped using the Socioecological Framework (SEF).

Main Results:

• Most dietitians utilized common SFS definitions and frameworks.
• Reported SFS activities spanned all levels of the Socioecological Framework.
• Dietitians identified a need for foundational and specialized knowledge, practical examples, and enhanced support for SFS practice.

Conclusions:

• Canadian dietitians are actively engaged in SFS, leveraging skills from other areas of practice.
• There is a significant opportunity to enhance the impact of RDs in SFS through resource sharing and professional development.
• Future efforts should focus on integrating Indigenous perspectives, systems thinking, and macro-level strategies, alongside developing clear success indicators.