Systems Leadership Among Nutrition and Dietetics Professionals: Facilitating Transitions to Sustainable Dietary...

Transitions to healthy dietary patterns that support sustainable food systems have tremendous potential to contribute positively to a more sustainable human society. Following such dietary patterns is influenced by interconnected socioecological systems factors such as economic forces, food environments and social networks. To understand the social impact potential of nutrition and dietetics professionals (NDPs) on healthy, sustainable dietary patterns, this research examined the state of practice in the context of the available evidence.

A cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey design was used to examine the state of NDP practice in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United States.

Findings show that NDPs were working across socioecological systems, from personal development to policy work, to contribute to healthy dietary patterns that support SFS. Transcending all levels of socioecological systems, NDPs were addressing complex and dynamic sustainability challenges despite significant barriers. The high cost of healthy foods was a very strong barrier outside the policy influence of most NDPs, and bold leadership was suggested as a necessary support.

NDPs have a high social impact potential to support transitions to more sustainable dietary patterns. The greatest impact potential was found in physical environments such as hospitals and schools. This potential is strongest where there is policy infrastructure to support the work. The contributions of many across socioecological systems generate a cumulative effect. Archetypal qualities of high-impact practice included systems thinking and the ability to deviate from the norm in the face of rapid change and uncertainty.