The Role of the Registered Dietitian (RDN) in the Charitable Food System Response During COVID-19: A Qualitative Exploration

IF 2.3 3区医学 Q2 EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Pub Date : 2024-08-01 DOI:10.1016/j.jneb.2024.05.083

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Abstract

Background

Despite the various pandemic-related food system challenges, national food security (FS) rates were largely unchanged during COVID-19. The charitable food system (CFS) played a vital role to address FS during the pandemic by adapting and innovating methods to feed communities.

Objective

This study explored the role of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in the CFS pandemic response.

Study Design, Settings, Participants

Semi-structured phone and Zoom interviews were conducted with staff, volunteers, partners, and neighbors (n=56) from 6 CFS programs/organizations across the USA between May and August 2022 as part of a cross-case analysis exploring innovative COVID-19 response.

Measurable Outcome/Analysis

Two coders used a data-driven analysis process to independently apply codes to transcripts within NVivo 12. Thematic analysis was used to explore codes related to roles and nutrition expertise in the CFS response among a subsample (n=11) of interviewees who identified as RDNs and/or nutrition experts.

Results

Over 90% of participants were RDNs (n=10), while the other nutrition expert (n=1) held a doctorate in nutrition. The integration of three key RDN scope of practice areas including foodservice systems management (eg, logistics, food safety), community nutrition (eg, needs/strengths assessment, community/client-centered approaches), and clinical dietetics (eg, tailoring for health/wellness/cultural preferences) emerged from interviews as vital strengths in the CFS pandemic response.

Conclusions

RDNs indicated that their broad training uniquely situated them to strengthen the CFS efforts during COVID-19. With the recent emphasis on Food is Medicine initiatives, examining the roles and responsibilities of RDNs working in the CFS can inform nutrition security initiatives beyond the pandemic.

Funding

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Accelerating Food Security: Supply Chain Innovation Fellowship

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注册营养师 (RDN) 在 COVID-19 期间慈善食品系统响应中的作用：定性探索

背景尽管存在各种与大流行病相关的食品系统挑战，但在COVID-19期间，全国食品安全（FS）率基本保持不变。本研究探讨了注册营养师（RDNs）在食品安全中心应对大流行中的作用。研究设计、环境、参与者2022 年 5 月至 8 月期间，对美国 6 个 CFS 项目/组织的员工、志愿者、合作伙伴和邻居（n=56）进行了半结构化电话和 Zoom 访谈，作为探索 COVID-19 创新响应的交叉案例分析的一部分。专题分析用于探讨自称为营养营养师和/或营养专家的受访者子样本（n=11）中与粮安委应对措施中的角色和营养专业知识相关的代码。结果超过 90% 的参与者是营养营养师（n=10），而另一位营养专家（n=1）拥有营养学博士学位。访谈显示，整合三个关键的营养营养师执业范围，包括餐饮服务系统管理（如物流、食品安全）、社区营养（如需求/实力评估、以社区/客户为中心的方法）和临床营养学（如针对健康/保健/文化偏好的定制），是应对粮安委大流行病的重要优势。随着最近对 "食品即药品 "倡议的重视，研究在粮安委工作的营养营养师的作用和责任可为大流行后的营养安全倡议提供参考：供应链创新奖学金

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来源期刊

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 医学-学科教育

CiteScore

4.20

自引率

11.50%

发文量

379

审稿时长

44 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), the official journal of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, is a refereed, scientific periodical that serves as a global resource for all professionals with an interest in nutrition education; nutrition and physical activity behavior theories and intervention outcomes; complementary and alternative medicine related to nutrition behaviors; food environment; food, nutrition, and physical activity communication strategies including technology; nutrition-related economics; food safety education; and scholarship of learning related to these areas. The purpose of JNEB is to document and disseminate original research and emerging issues and practices relevant to these areas worldwide. The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior welcomes evidence-based manuscripts that provide new insights and useful findings related to nutrition education research, practice and policy. The content areas of JNEB reflect the diverse interests in nutrition and physical activity related to public health, nutritional sciences, education, behavioral economics, family and consumer sciences, and eHealth, including the interests of community-based nutrition-practitioners. As the Society''s official journal, JNEB also includes policy statements, issue perspectives, position papers, and member communications.