Portrait des étudiants universitaires en nutrition du Québec : motivations, aspirations et satisfaction concernant leurs études

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the motivations, study and career objectives, and satisfaction of future nutrition professionals in Quebec.

Methods: An electronic questionnaire was sent to the 158 nutrition students graduating from the three Quebec universities offering a nutrition program. Data were analyzed with SPSS software. Descriptive statistics and McNemar’s and χ2 tests were used.

Results: A total of 72 students filled out the questionnaire. Nutrition was the first program choice for 60% of the respondents. An interest in nutrition, health and food, and a desire to help people were the main motivations to undertake nutrition studies. Clinical nutrition is the field most favoured by the students to obtain employment, followed by public nutrition and private practice. Fifty-five percent of the students plan to pursue graduate studies in nutrition and 28% in a related field. The nutrition program met the expectations of 70% of the students.

Conclusion: Results show practical training is required to meet the needs of the varied environments, including that of public nutrition, which is a promising field. More information on work contexts should be integrated into the study program.