Canadian dietitians' views and practices regarding obesity and weight management

Abstract

Objective: To provide insight into Canadian dietitians' attitudes and practices regarding obesity and weight management.

Design: Cross-sectional mail survey of a stratified random sample of members of Canadian dietetic associations.

Subjects: A total of 514 dietitians (74% of those surveyed), 350 (69%) of whom actively counselled overweight/obese clients.

Measurements: Participants received a questionnaire to assess dietitians' attitudes regarding obesity and overweight, views regarding their role in weight management, counselling practices, and the criteria used to judge success. Demographic variables were collected.

Results: Most dietitians believed that obesity contributes to morbidity and mortality, and that small weight losses produced important health benefits. However, 80% agreed that health indicators other than weight loss should be the focus of obesity management, and 55% specifically recommended that clients not weigh themselves. Instead, weight management was promoted by recommending healthy eating and increased physical activity. Three-quarters agreed that they are the profession best trained to manage obesity but two-thirds believed their time would be better spent preventing rather than managing obesity. Dietitians most valued education received from on-the-job support and mentoring from other dietitians. Participants reported wanting to learn more about motivational and behavioural modification counselling techniques.

Conclusions: Canadian dietitians follow a lifestyle approach to weight management. Studies are required to formally assess the effectiveness of various aspects of this approach.