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Members of the dietetics profession have been discussing and confronting the lack of diversity within the profession. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is committed to diversity and inclusion efforts. Our aim was to determine current admission criteria and practices used by Dietetic Internships (DIs) across the United States. This was a cross-sectional study using electronic survey with open and close-ended items conducted in the fall of 2020. The electronic survey was distributed to 261 DI directors. Statistical analysis performed Descriptive statistics were calculated for each variable using SPSS software. Six topically related open-ended items were analyzed through a qualitative thematic approach. DI directors (n = 89) were primarily female (n = 76) and White (n = 77). Most admissions process and criteria decisions were made by committees. Directors (n = 79) reported using a predefined rubric/scoring system for candidate evaluation. Many (n = 60) indicated not using Graduate Record Examination scores. All reported considering Didactic Program in Dietetics' grade point average; personal statement quality; professional interests and goals; and type and quantity of previous dietetics-related work and volunteer experience. The admission factors rated (on a 7-point scale) most important were quality of interview (mean = 6.03), Didactic Program in Dietetics' grade point average (mean = 5.67), type of work and volunteer experience (mean = 5.62), quality of personal statement (mean = 5.5), recommender comments (mean = 5.41), and quantity of work and volunteer experience (mean = 5.40). Most (n = 80) indicated that they were satisfied with their selection processes. Educators should continue refining admissions processes as professional gatekeepers, consider reducing application fees, diversifying and training selection committees, re-evaluating admission criteria, and assessing how criteria weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Health-promoting environments advance health and prevent chronic disease. Hospitals have been charged to promote health and wellness to patients, communities, and 5.3 million adults employed in United States health care environments. Methods In this cross-sectional observational study, the Hospital Nutrition Environment Scan (HNES) was used to measure the nutrition environment of hospital cafeterias and evaluate the influence of the LiVe Well Plate health initiative. Twenty-one hospitals in the Intermountain West region were surveyed between October 2013 and May 2014. Six hospitals participated in the LiVe Well Plate health initiative and were compared with 15 hospitals not participating. The LiVe Well Plate health initiative identified and promoted a healthy meal defined as <600 kcal, <700 mg sodium, and <30% fat. Signage with nutrition information and health initiative branding were also posted at point of purchase. Hospital cafeterias were scored on four subcategories: facilitators and barriers, grab-and-go items, menu offerings, and selection options at point of purchase. Results Overall, hospitals scored 35.3±13.7 (range=7 to 63) points of 86 total possible points. Cafeterias in health initiative hospitals had significantly higher mean nutrition composite scores compared with non–health initiative hospitals (49.2 vs 29.7; P <0.001). Conclusions Promoting healthy entrées with nutrition information and branding has a positive influence on the nutrition environment of hospital cafeterias. Additional research is needed to quantify and strategize ways to improve nutrition environments within hospital cafeterias and assess the influence on healthy lifestyle behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine websites of didactic programs in dietetics (DPD) for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related language and to assess perceived gender and ethnic/racial representation in images. We conducted a content analysis on the first 6 website images and 3-elements of DPD (n = 212) websites (mission statement, goals and objectives, and the immediate landing page). Descriptive statistics and a website DEI score were calculated. Equity and inclusion-related terms appeared on < 5% of websites. Diversity and culture-related terms appeared on about one-third of websites. On average, researchers perceived 28.45% of people in website images as non-White, and 20.11% as non-female. Most websites received low DEI scores. The DPD websites had a limited representation of DEI-related terms and image representation of individuals perceived to be non-female and non-White. Leaders of DPDs may consider displaying and describing the program's commitment to DEI on the website for potential students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition screening tools are used to identify risk of malnutrition or change in risk of malnutrition. However, it is unclear which tools have demonstrated high validity, reliability, and agreement. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of valid and reliable pediatric nutrition screening tools for identifying malnutrition risk (under- or overnutrition), and to determine whether there are differences in validity and reliability according to users of the tools. A literature search using Medline, Embase, and CINAHL databases was conducted to identify relevant research published between 1995 and May 2017 examining validity and reliability of nutrition screening tools in the pediatric population. A multidisciplinary workgroup developed eligibility criteria, data were extracted and summarized, risk of bias was assessed, and evidence strength was graded, according to a standard process. Twenty-nine studies met inclusion criteria. Thirteen pediatric nutrition screening tools designed for various settings were included in the review (seven inpatient/hospital, three outpatient or specialty setting, and three community). The most frequently examined tools were the Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics, Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (13 studies each), and Paediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (nine studies). No tools demonstrated high validity. Reliability and agreement were reported infrequently. Nutrition screening tools with good/strong or fair evidence and moderate validity included the Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics, Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth, and Paediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score in the inpatient setting and Nutrition Risk Screening Tool for Children and Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis in the specialty setting. No tools in the community setting met these criteria. While differences in validity and reliability measures among tool users were found, the significance of these findings is unclear. Limitations included few studies examining each tool, heterogeneity between studies examining a common tool, and lack of tools that included currently recommended indicators to identify pediatric malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both food insecurity and malnutrition are associated with adverse health outcomes in the pediatric population. However, the research on the relationship between these factors has been inconsistent, leading to uncertainty regarding whether or how evaluation of food insecurity should be incorporated into nutrition screening or the nutrition care process. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the association between food insecurity and malnutrition related to undernutrition or overnutrition (defined by anthropometrics) in the pediatric population in the United States. A literature search was conducted using Medline, Embase, and CINAHL databases for studies published from January 2002 through November 2017. A total of 23 studies (19 cross-sectional and 4 prospective cohort studies) met inclusion criteria and were included in qualitative analysis. In 6 studies, there was no overall relationship between food insecurity and underweight. All included studies examined the relationship between food insecurity status and overweight/obesity and results were mixed, with large cross-sectional studies demonstrating a positive relationship between food insecurity and overweight/obesity. There were no clear patterns according to subpopulation. Evidence quality was graded as fair due to heterogeneity in how food insecurity was measured and populations included as well as inconsistency in results. Use of a 2-item food insecurity screening tool may allow for efficient, effective screening of food insecurity in order to identify potential contributors overweight and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]