Adolescent Health and Nutrition: A Survey of Perceived Knowledge and Skill Competencies and Training Interests Among Dietitians working with Youth

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Methods

Our study analyzed data from a 1997 national multidisciplinary survey of health care providers that focused on self-assessed competencies in addressing key health concerns and issues of adolescents. The survey of registered dietitians was part of a larger study involving 5 disciplines (dietitians, nurses, pediatricians, psychologists, and social workers [n=3,800]) to assess the education and training needs across the area of adolescent health.

For dietitians, a national sample of 800 members of

Demographics

All respondents were registered dietitians. About two thirds (64%) of respondents had advanced degrees, with more than half (57%) having a master's degree and 7% having a doctorate degree. About one fifth (17%) of dietitians surveyed had completed their highest degree within the past 10 years and almost half (48%) had graduated within the past 11 to 20 years. There was considerable variation in practice settings, but the largest concentration of respondents worked in hospital settings (42%)

Applications

The number of adolescents is increasing in this country and their health and social needs will continue to grow (2). Adolescence is now considered a critical time when opportunities to develop positive lifetime behaviors and skills can be maximized. We found that about 75% of dietitians responded that only 25% or less of their clients are adolescents. Strategies on health care utilization and access to care, and how dietetics professionals can interface more with adolescents, need to be

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