Nutrition Education in U.S. Medical Schools: A History and Proposal for the Future

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  • October 1, 2019
Creator
  • Schille, Colton
    • Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Nutrition
Abstract
  • Background: Obesity and obesity related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and hypertension (HTN) continue to be significant health crises in the United States. Patients largely rely on physicians, not Registered Dietitians (RDs), for the bulk of nutrition-related information. Yet, physicians consistently rate their nutritional counseling skills as poor and have little confidence in their abilities. The lack of nutrition and nutritional counseling in medical school curriculum does not support physicians’ responsibility in addressing obesity and obesity-related chronic disease. Objective: Evaluate to what extent nutrition has been incorporated into medical school curriculum in the past and today; investigate barriers to a more extensive nutrition curriculum; review possibilities for furthering nutrition education into the medical school setting. Design: Narrative review Results: The average hours of nutrition education in medical schools has remained stagnant at an average of 19-22 hours. Increasingly, nutrition education is moving from separate, stand-alone classes towards integration in existing curriculum. Physicians consistently rate their knowledge of and skills in nutrition and nutrition counseling as poor. Physicians recognize their weakness in nutrition, but many barriers stand in the way of nutrition education incorporation. Conclusions: Because hours of nutrition education have remained stagnant for the past 58 years, incorporating nutrition education into existing curriculum with a focus on interdisciplinary learning appears to be the new strategy to increase net nutrition exposure hours. However, absence of nutrition accreditation requirements is the root of the knowledge and skill gap. Advocacy for national nutrition accreditation requirements is essential to foster nutrition-inclusive, integrated curricula.
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  • In Copyright
Advisor
  • Holliday, Amanda
Degree
  • Master of Public Health
Academic concentration
  • Public Health Nutrition
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduation year
  • 2016
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  • 141e3cbf-b235-4946-ab9b-353f08cb832d

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