Is Obesity a Cause for Shame? Weight Bias and Stigma among Physicians, Dietitians, and Other Healthcare Professionals in Poland-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Weight bias and weight stigma pose significant challenges in healthcare, particularly affecting obesity management practices and patient care quality. Our study evaluates their prevalence and impact among healthcare professionals in Poland. Using the Fat Phobia Scale and custom questions, we surveyed 686 professionals via Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI). Results reveal a moderate level of explicit weight bias (mean score: 3.60 ± 0.57), with significant variations across professional groups: physicians (3.70 ± 0.48), dietitians (3.51 ± 0.48), and others (3.44 ± 0.77). Common feelings towards individuals with obesity include willingness to help (57.0%) and compassion (37.8%), yet 29.9% perceive obesity as shameful. The results also vary depending on the respondent's sex or BMI. These findings underscore the need for evidence-based interventions to mitigate weight stigma and enhance understanding of obesity among healthcare professionals.

Knowledge of Dietitians on Gut Microbiota in Health-An Online Survey of the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD).

Explorations of current knowledge of dietitians about gut-health interconnection and the role of diet in gut microbiota manipulation are rather scarce in the literature. In this online survey we assessed the perceived and current knowledge of dietitians across Europe about gut microbiota and systemic health, nutrition as a modulator of the gut ecosystem, and the role of probiotics and prebiotics. Pre-graduate dietetic students and other professionals were also invited to participate. A total of 179 full responses were recorded (dietitians, n = 155), mainly from Southern and Western regions. Most participants (>78.0%) reported an average to good level of perceived knowledge, with significant positive correlations between perceived and current knowledge in all sections and overall (p for all <0.05). Nevertheless, a rather low current knowledge scoring of participants about probiotics and prebiotics was observed. Features such as being a dietitian, having a higher educational level as dietitian and working in an academic/research setting were usually associated with higher current knowledge. Further analysis revealed that dietitians had a trend for higher scoring about probiotics and prebiotics compared to pre-graduate students or other professionals. Moreover, for dietitians, working in an academic or research setting was an independent factor for scoring in the highest quartile in all tested sections and overall (p for all <0.05). In conclusion, this online survey shed some light on the current knowledge of dietitians across Europe about gut microbiota parameters, including dietary modulation, highlighting in parallel possible knowledge determinants. Potential areas for future educational efforts in this rather unexplored field were indicated.

The Role of the Dietitian within Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FT-AN): A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Clinician Perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Despite dietitians being important members of the multidisciplinary team delivering family therapy for anorexia nervosa (FT-AN), their specific responsibilities and roles are unclear and their involvement in the treatment can be a contentious issue. METHODOLOGY: Clinicians (n = 20) experienced in the delivery of FT-AN who were working at a specialist child and adolescent eating disorder service responded to an online survey about their experience of including a dietitian in FT-AN and how they understand the role. Both categorical and open-ended questions were used. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative free-text responses of clinician perspectives on the role of the dietitian in FT-AN. RESULTS: All clinicians agreed that dietetics had a role within FT-AN and most frequently sought dietetic involvement in the early phases of FT-AN. Reflexive thematic analysis of responses identified three main themes. These were (1) collaboration is key, (2) confidence as a core consideration and (3) case-by-case approach. These themes evidenced the role of the dietitian within FT-AN and highlighted both the benefits and concerns of this involvement. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that dietitians can take a core role as collaborators within therapy-led teams that facilitate joint working and sharing of expertise. However, dietetic input should be considered on a case-by-case basis, given its potential for creating an over-focus on nutrition and potentially diminishing parental confidence in feeding. When indicated for selected cases, nutritional counselling should be offered in joint sessions with the therapist rather than separately. The findings of the study were limited by the small sample size of participants recruited from a single centre and heterogeneity in the professional background of respondents. Although the integration of dietetics within the multidisciplinary team and the ability of dietitians to individualise patient care can enhance FT-AN treatment, potential benefits and disbenefits should be considered for each case.

Enhancing the provision of cancer nutrition information to support care through experience-based co-design: a mixed-methods study.

PURPOSE: Nutrition is essential within cancer care, yet patient and carer access to nutrition care and information is variable. This study aimed to (1) investigate patient and carer access and perceptions, and health professional views and practices, relating to cancer nutrition information and care; and (2) co-design interactive resources to support optimal nutrition care. METHODS: Patients and carers completed a survey regarding access to nutrition care and information. Seven multidisciplinary health service teams were invited to participate in a survey and focus group to assess barriers and enablers in nutrition practices. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed and thematically analyzed. Eligible patients, carers, and health professionals were invited to four virtual workshops utilizing experience-based co-design methods to identify nutrition priority areas and design resources. Workshop participant acceptability of the resources was measured. RESULTS: Of 104 consumer survey respondents (n = 97 patients, n = 7 carers), 61% agreed that it "took too much time to find evidence-based nutrition and cancer information", and 46% had seen a dietitian. Thirty-four of 38 health professionals completed the survey and 30 participated in a focus group, and it was identified the greatest barriers to delivering nutrition care were lack of referral services, knowledge or skill gaps, and time. Twenty participants (n = 10 patients and carers, n = 10 health professionals) attended four workshops and co-designed a suite of 46 novel resources rated as highly acceptable. CONCLUSION: Improved communication, training, and availability of suitable resources could improve access to and support cancer nutrition information and care. New, co-designed cancer nutrition resources were created and deemed highly acceptable to patients, carers, and health professionals.

Factors associated with multimodal care practices for cancer cachexia among registered dietitians.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine factors associated with multimodal care practices for cancer cachexia among registered dietitians (RDs) working in cancer care. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed using RDs' data. Data on knowledge, skills, and confidence in multimodal care were obtained. Nine items regarding multimodal care practices were evaluated. Subjects were divided into two groups based on their answers associated with the nine items. Comparisons were obtained using the Mann-Whitney U test or chi-squared test. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the critical factors involved in practicing multimodal care by determining the variables with significant differences between the two groups. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-two RDs were included in this study. Significant differences were observed in their primary area of practice (p = 0.023), the number of clinical guidelines used (p < 0.001), the number of items used in cancer cachexia assessment (p = 0.002), the number of symptoms used in cancer cachexia assessment (p = 0.039), training for cancer cachexia (p < 0.001), knowledge of cancer cachexia (p < 0.001), and confidence in cancer cachexia management (p < 0.001). The number of symptoms used in cancer cachexia assessment (B = 0.42, p = 0.019), knowledge of cancer cachexia (B = 6.60, p < 0.001), and confidence in cancer cachexia management (B = 4.31, p = 0.010) were identified as critical factors according to the multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The RDs' knowledge and confidence in cancer cachexia management were associated with their multimodal care practices.

What is happening with the clinical nutritionist? Realities and challenges.

BACKGROUND: At hospital level, clinical nutritionists play a fundamental role in health recovery, contributing to shorter hospital stays and addressing hospital malnutrition. However, in Latin America no studies have been conducted on the activities of the nutritionist and the factors influencing their performance. AIMS: to describe the activities of the clinical nutritionist in public and private hospital settings in Latin America and to determine the factors associated with disciplinary practice. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical, quantitative study was conducted. Participants consisted of hospital nutritionists from 13 Latin American countries who had participated in a previously validated online survey on the activities performed during their daily work, obtaining a Professional Activities Score (PAS). RESULTS: 1222 nutritionists participated. Of the activities associated with the professional role, the only ones who reached over 75 % of execution were: performing nutritional intervention; performing nutritional assessment and diagnosis; providing counseling and dietary prescription; developing nutritional care plans for patients with nutritional problems; and performing the monitoring and evaluation of results of priority patients. The least frequent activities were: university teaching and collaborating in research. Regarding the reasons for not performing activities: 34.0 % reported not being included in the activities, 24.5 % mentioned lack of time, and 13.6 % indicated that the activities were conducted by another professional. Variables positively associated with an increase in the PAS were: having spent more years exercising the profession (Beta: 0.028, 95 % CI: 0.004; 0.051), and having a greater number of specialties (4 or more, Beta: 2.294, 95 % CI: 1.031; 3.557). Working in lower-complexity facilities (Low: Beta: -1.037, 95 % CI: -1.443; -0.630), and having more reasons for not performing the activities (3 or more: Beta: -3.105, 95 % CI: -4.111; -2.099) were inversely associated. From the sample, 1.8 % held a doctorate in clinical nutrition, 43.9 % had a specialty, and 64.4 % had a diploma or postgraduate degree in clinical nutrition. CONCLUSION: None of the activities related to the nutritionist work was performed on a 100 % basis. In Latin America, Ministries of Health should standardize and regulate the functions of the clinical nutritionist, as well as quantifying understaffing and proposing solutions to alleviate the shortage of these professionals, acknowledging the positive impact that they have on the recovery of hospital patients.

Dietitians' practices in dialysis units in Brazil: nutritional assessment and intervention.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of dietitians in dialysis units is indisputable and mandatory in Brazil, but little is known about the practices adopted by these professionals. OBJECTIVE: To know practices adopted in routine nutritional care, focusing on nutritional assessment tools and treatment strategies for people at risk or diagnosed with malnutrition. METHODOLOGY: Electronic questionnaire disseminated on social media and messaging applications. It included questions that covered dietitians' demographic and occupational profile characteristics and of the dialysis unit, use and frequency of nutritional assessment tools, nutritional intervention strategies in cases of risk or diagnosis of malnutrition, prescription and access to oral supplements. RESULTS: Twenty four percent of the Brazilian dialysis units (n = 207) responded electronically. The most used nutritional assessment tools with or without a pre-established frequency were dietary surveys (96%) and Subjective Global Assessment (83%). The strategies in cases of risk or presence of malnutrition used most frequently (almost always/always) were instructions to increase energy and protein intake from foods (97%), and increasing the frequency of visits (88%). The frequency of prescribing commercial supplements with standard and specialized formulas was quite similar. The availability of dietary supplements by the public healthcare system to patients varied between regions. CONCLUSION: Most dietitians use various nutritional assessment tools and intervention strategies in cases of risk or malnutrition; however, the frequency of use of such tools and strategies varied substantially.

A qualitative study on the process of dietitians working in pharmacies to practice dietary habit improvement support in their daily work

Background: Recently in Japan, there have been some cases of pharmacies staffed with dietitians in an effort to improve their health support functions. However, there have been few reports on the effects of these efforts, and it has been pointed out that dietitians may not be fully exercising their professional abilities. We conducted a before-and-after comparison study in 2022 to confirm the effectiveness of collaboration between pharmacy dietitians and pharmacists in supporting patients with type 2 diabetes. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the process by which dietitians who participated in our research project became accustomed to providing continuous dietary counseling as a matter of habit. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three dietitians and two pharmacists. The main questions asked were about 1) the nature of their work before they began providing the interventions, 2) the aspects they paid attention to while providing the interventions, 3) what they felt they had changed during the intervention period, and4) what they considered obstacles to providing nutritional guidance in their pharmacies. Results: The responses of the participants regarding the nature of their work before they began providing interventions were mostly related to their “work as a dispensing clerk.” The dietitians also indicated their desire for more continuous dietary support. The responses of the participants regarding what they felt had changed during the intervention period included numerous references to having an “opportunity for trial and error” and obtaining the “cooperation of staff.” In the responses regarding what the participants considered obstacles, the dietitians mentioned “recognition by patients” and “an environment in which they can consult with patients.”... (AU)

The role of an equine nutritionist in equine health, performance and wellbeing: Ideas stemming from an equine science society symposium workshop.

In the United States, there is little clarity on the qualifications and availability of equine nutritionists. Currently, no regulatory body exists for formal credentialing outside of veterinary medicine. Most equine nutritionists are not veterinarians but do have advanced scientific degrees (Master of Science and/or Doctor of Philosophy) in the field of Animal Science. However, not all reporting to be equine nutritionists have formal education in the field of equine nutrition. To discuss this, a workshop was held at the 2023 Equine Science Society (ESS) meeting. The purpose of this discussion was to share ideas among equine nutrition professionals about how best to provide support for the inclusion of the specialty as part of a horse's health team, alongside the veterinarian, farrier and other equine health specialists. In human, small animal and livestock practices, the importance of nutrition as part of an overall health, production (livestock) and well-being plan has been documented. However, surveys of veterinarians, the top source of information for horse owners, reveal a lack of confidence in the area of nutrition after graduating from veterinary school and a lack of available continuing education opportunities to learn more. Further, it appears that many horse owners may unknowingly be obtaining nutrition information from unverified sources (such as the internet). The discussion included formal and informal education of equine nutritionists, as well as avenues to open lines of communication with the veterinary community to provide nutrition resources for horse owners, managers and veterinarians.

Systematic review of tailored dietary advice and dietitian involvement in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading public health concern globally. Interdisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation programs exist and should ideally consider nutritional health impacts since the nutritional status of COPD patients is often compromised. However, little is known about the role of dietary counseling in COPD management. RESEARCH QUESTION: Does providing tailored dietary advice to adult patients with COPD improve outcomes? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review. The following electronic databases and registrars were used: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The original search was conducted in June 2021 with an updated search conducted on February 21, 2024. Validity and bias assessments were completed. RESULTS: We selected 14 articles for inclusion. Multiple outcomes were considered including functional, body composition, nutritional intake, cost analyses, quality of life, and others. The most common measured outcomes were quality of life and the 6 min walk test. A number of interventions were used with most interventions being interdisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation packages where nutrition counseling was one component. A number of interventions showed positive results but there tended to be inconsistency. INTERPRETATION: Evidence shows that various interventions appear to improve outcomes, but it is difficult to determine if improvements are due to nutritional intervention specifically or a rehabilitation program as a whole. More specific randomized controlled trials should be completed regarding tailored nutritional counseling and therapy in adults with COPD to determine the benefits attributable to nutritional interventions.

Body Composition Changes in Male and Female Elite Soccer Players: Effects of a Nutritional Program Led by a Sport Nutritionist.

BACKGROUND: Soccer is a game in constant evolution and the intensity of play is increasing. Nutrition can play a role in the physical performance of elite players, maintaining their health and facilitating recovery. It is important to cover players' energy demands, and low energy availability may therefore result in impaired performance. This study aimed to evaluate alterations in body composition to determine the effects of a nutritional program led by a sport nutritionist. METHODS: A group of 88 elite soccer players from a Serie A club in Italy (44 males aged 26.5 ± 3.0 years and 44 females aged 27.1 ± 5.2 years) were enrolled. To evaluate changes in body composition, bioimpedance and anthropometric measurements were obtained following the protocol of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). RESULTS: Compared with females, males had more muscle mass and less fat mass in both seasons evaluated. Comparing the first and last seasons, the male soccer players showed increased muscle mass and decreased fat mass while the female soccer players only showed decreased fat mass. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a specialist sport nutritionist on the staff of professional soccer clubs could be important to ensure energy availability and evaluate body composition during the season.

Incorporación del dietista-nutricionista en un hospital universitario: declaración de postura de la Comisión de Nutrición del Hospital Universitario La Paz / Dietitian-nutritionist incorporation in a university hospital: position statement of the Commission on Nutrition, Hospital Universitario La Paz

El presente documento tiene como objetivo plantear y justificar la incorporación del dietista-nutricionista en los equipos multidisciplinares deatención integrada en la educación, el tratamiento y el seguimiento de aquellos pacientes con patologías que cursen con alteraciones del estadonutricional, tanto en su defecto como en su exceso, en el área sanitaria de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid.El estado nutricional de los pacientes hospitalizados se beneficiará de la incorporación del dietista-nutricionista al equipo multidisciplinar que,actualmente, se ocupa de la atención de estos. El manejo de la terapia nutricional por dietistas-nutricionistas ha demostrado ser costo-efectiva,habida cuenta de la repercusión sanitaria que tiene el estado nutricional en la evolución clínica y prevención de enfermedades como la diabetes,los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, la obesidad, el cáncer, la insuficiencia cardiaca, la osteoporosis, la enfermedad celiaca y la enfermedadrenal crónica, entre otras.(AU)

The present document has the objective of justifying the incorporation of a dietician/nutritionist to the multidisciplinary teams of specialized carethat provide education, food anamnesis, nutritional recommendations, treatment and follow up of those patients in risk of malnutrition in Madrid.The appropriate nutritional status of hospitalized patients bears a close relationship with the existence of dieticians at hospitals. Dieticians usenutrition therapy as a cost-effective means to achieve significant health benefits by preventing or altering the course of diabetes, obesity, hyper-tension, lipid metabolism disorders, heart failure, osteoporosis, celiac disease, and chronic kidney disease, among other diseases.(AU)

Compromiso de Asunción. Un llamado a la acción / Commitment of Asunción. A call to action

La Federación Latinoamericana de Terapia Nutricional, Nutrición Clínica y Metabolismo – FELANPE, fue fundada en el año 1988. Reúne a Socie-dades y Asociaciones Interdisciplinarias de Nutrición Clínica y Terapia Nutricional de América Latina y el Caribe, además de España y Portugal.Actualmente la conforman representaciones de 18 países.Se describen los objetivos de la Federación teniendo en cuenta el compromiso asumido.Se trata de estudio observacional transversal, multicéntrico en que se incluyeron 132 hospitales con más de 100 camas, de alta complejidad,estatales y privados de 14 países de Latinoamérica miembros de FELANPE. Se evaluaron las características del hospital, la implementación dela valoración nutricional, el diagnóstico nutricional de pacientes, el equipo responsable de la terapia nutricional, la terapéutica nutricional (oral,enteral y parenteral), la monitorización y el seguimiento nutricional.Para tal, se diseñó y validó un cuestionario digital y un video explicativo para garantizar la calidad de los datos recolectados. La validación seefectúo mediante un estudio piloto realizado en Paraguay, aprobado por el Comité de ética en la Investigación de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicasde la Universidad Nacional de Asunción. La investigación actual cuenta con la aprobación del Comité de ética de Investigación de la Facultad deCiencias Químicas de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción y del Comité de ética de FELANPE.Los resultados presentados en el XVIII Congreso Latinoamericano de FELANPE, en Asunción del Paraguay, el 12 de octubre del 2023, sirven comobase para caracterizar la implementación de la Terapia Nutricional Parenteral y Enteral (terapia nutricional médica) en Hospitales de Latinoaméricay son utilizados como sustento técnico del presente Compromiso de Asunción.(AU)

The Latin American Federation of Nutritional Therapy, Clinical Nutrition, and Metabolism – FELANPE, was founded in 1988. It brings togetherinterdisciplinary societies and associations in Clinical Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy from Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Spainand Portugal. Currently, it comprises representations from 18 countries.The objectives of the Federation are described, taking into account the assumed commitment. This is an observational cross-sectional, multicenterstudy that included 132 hospitals with more than 100 beds, of high complexity, both state-owned and private, from 14 countries in Latin Americathat are members of FELANPE. The study assessed hospital characteristics, implementation of nutritional assessment, nutritional diagnosis ofpatients, the team responsible for nutritional therapy, nutritional therapy (oral, enteral, and parenteral), monitoring, and nutritional follow-up.For this purpose, a digital questionnaire and an explanatory video were designed and validated to ensure the quality of the collected data. Validationwas carried out through a pilot study conducted in Paraguay, approved by the Ethics Committee for Research at the Faculty of Medical Sciences ofthe National University of Asunción. The current research has the approval of the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Chemical Sciencesof the National University of Asunción and the Ethics Committee of FELANPE.The results presented at the XVIII Latin American Congress of FELANPE in Asunción, Paraguay, on October 12, 2023, serve as a basis for cha-racterizing the implementation of Parenteral and Enteral Nutritional Therapy (medical nutritional therapy) in hospitals in Latin America and areused as technical support for the present Asunción Commitment.(AU)

Vulneración del derecho a la alimentación del infante: Análisis del incumplimiento de la pensión de alimentos en Perúy el posible papel del Nutricionista / Violation of the right to food for children: Analysis of Non-compliance with child support in Peru and the potential role of the Nutritionist

Antecedentes: El incumplimiento de la pensión de alimentos tiene un impacto negativo en la protección de la infancia, incrementando el riesgo de malnutrición e inseguridad alimentaria. Las relaciones familiares y la confianza en el sistema de justicia también se pueden ver afectadas.Objetivo: Describir las características de las deudas de pensión mensual de alimentos en Perú, según el área geográfica y la jurisdicción del órgano judicial.Materiales y métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio transversal mediante el análisis de los casos de deuda de pensión de alimentos del 2019, según el Registro de Deudores Alimentarios Morosos (REDAM) del Poder Judicial del Perú. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las deudas de pensión de alimentos por región y jurisdicción del órgano judicial.Resultados: Se incluyeron 750 registros de deudores de pensión de alimentos, y se identificó que solo 0.53% de los deudores subsano su deuda. Se encontraron diferencias entre las deudas de pensión de alimentos entre las regiones de Perú. Los indicadores de desarrollo humano y vulnerabilidad a la inseguridad alimentaria tuvieron una tendencia semejante que las pensiones de alimentos entre las regiones de Perú.Conclusión: Las deudas de pensión de alimentos se caracterizaron por provenir en mayor proporción de varones con trabajo, y se identificaron más casos de deudores en la sierra peruana.(AU)

Background: Noncompliance with child support paymentshas a negative impact on the protection of children, increas-ing the risk of malnutrition and food insecurity. Family rela-tionships and trust in the justice system can also be affected.Objective: To describe the characteristics of monthly childsupport debts in Peru, according to the geographic area andjurisdiction of the judicial authority.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study wasconducted by analyzing the cases of child support debt from2019, according to the Register of Delinquent Child SupportDebtors (REDAM) of the Judiciary of Peru. A descriptive analy-sis of child support debt by region and jurisdiction of the ju-dicial authority was carried out. Results: 750 records of child support debtors were in-cluded, and it was identified that only 0.53% of the debtorspaid off their debt. Differences were found in child supportdebt between the regions of Peru. Human development indi-cators and vulnerability to food insecurity had a similar trendas child support payments among the regions of Peru.Conclusion: Child support debts were characterized ascoming mostly from employed males, and more cases ofdebtors were identified in the Peruvian highlands.(AU)

Abordaje de la obesidad infantil. Comparativa entre comunidades autónomas / Approach to Childhood Obesity in Spain. A comparison among autonomies

Fundamentos: la obesidad infantil representa un grave problema de salud pública y, dado su carácter multifactorial y sus consecuencias, resulta necesario llevar a cabo un abordaje eficaz. El sistema de autonomías español, con competencias delegadas, podría acentuar la desigualdad en su abordaje. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer la existencia o no de dichas desigualdades. Métodos: se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal descriptivo, entre los meses de febrero-abril de 2022, en el que se comparó el abordaje de la obesidad infantil entre las diecisiete comunidades y dos ciudades autónomas, mediante el análisis de los siguientes indicadores: personal de pediatría; enfermería pediátrica; personal de nutrición y su reconocimiento legal; existencia de planes integrales; y gasto sanitario para obesidad infantil. La búsqueda de información se realizó mediante revisión bibliográfica y solicitud de acceso a información pública a las correspondientes consejerías autonómicas. Hubo cálculo de ratios de pediatras y enfermeros por 1.000 habitantes y gasto sanitario por habitante. Resultados: se observó que a nivel nacional los pediatras poseen una ratio acorde a las recomendaciones internacionales (1,21), no así enfermería general y pediátrica (con una ratio de 0,65, que equivale a aproximadamente 1.544 habitantes por cada enfermera), ni el personal de nutrición. Entre comunidades autónomas se apreciaron grandes variaciones para las tres categorías. Los planes integrales de abordaje se encontraron desactualizados o, directamente, ausentes, al igual que el análisis periódico del gasto derivado de la obesidad.Conclusiones: el abordaje de la obesidad infantil parece variar de forma considerable entre autonomías según los indicadores analizados. Por ello, sería recomendable encauzar todos los esfuerzos en homogenizarlo, para mejorar la calidad asistencial e igualar las oportunidades de prevención y tratamiento en todo el ámbito nacional.(au)

Background: childhood obesity represents a serious public health problem and given its multifactorial nature and its con-sequences; it is necessary to carry out an effective approach. The spanish system of autonomies, with delegated powers, could accentuate inequality in its approach. The objective of the study was to know the existence or not of these inequalities. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between the months of february-april 2022, in which the approach to childhood obesity was compared among the seventeen communities and two autonomous cities, through the analysis of the following indicators: pediatric staff, pediatric nursing, nutrition personnel and their legal recognition, the existence of comprehensive plans and health expenditure on childhood obesity. The search for information has been carried out through a bibliographic review and a request for access to public information to the corresponding regional councils. It were performed ratios of paediatricians and nurses per 1,000 inhabitants and health expenditure per inhabitant were calculated.results: it was observed that in spain paediatricians have a ratio according to international recommendations (1.21), but not ge-neral and paediatric nursing (with a ratio of 0.65, which is equivalent to approximately 1,544 inhabitants for each nurse), and nutrition professionals. Among autonomies there were large variations for the three categories. Comprehensive plans were outdated or absent altogether, as well as the periodic analysis of obesity expenditure. Conclusions: the approach to childhood obesity seems to vary considerably among autonomies according to the analysed indicators. Thus, it would be advisable to lead all efforts to homogenize it, to improve care quality and prevention and treatment choices in all national regions.(AU)

Changing Roles and Responsibilities of Dietitians from Diverse Settings During the First Three Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nova Scotia.

Purpose: To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nova Scotian dietitian's roles, responsibilities, and professional development needs.Methods: We conducted a province-wide, online, exploratory survey with registered dietitians during the initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Differences were explored with descriptive statistics by work sector (hospital/acute care; primary health/community or public health (PH); long-term care [LTC]; other [e.g., private practice, retail]).Results: Dietitians (n = 122) reported being most frequently challenged by stress and anxiety, changing work expectations, and rapidly evolving safety protocols during the pandemic. Those working in PH, primary health, and LTC reported experiencing more work responsibilities, more change, and perceived less employer support than dietitians in other sectors. Despite the identified challenges, most participants (70.7%) felt their education and training were sufficient to take on these new work roles. Primary and PH dietitians, however, more frequently perceived their skill sets to be under-utilized than other sectors. Key learnings from practice identified as being important for dietetic education included qualities such as resilience, problem-solving, flexibility, and self-care.Conclusion: These findings will be of interest to health administrators, professional bodies, and academic institutions to inform strategies for strengthening dietetic practice, building resilience, and preparing for future emergencies.