Limited educational resources and infrequent contact hinder dietitian-led weight management success

Due to a high prevalence of obesity-related chronic diseases and an increasing use of injectable weight loss medications, a need for dietary consultations by registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) has been increasing. However, there is a paucity in RDNs who provide weight management services. The objective of this study is to gather insight on the dietary interventions and barriers in weight loss practice as reported by RDNs specializing in weight management. The survey contained 33 questions and four domains (current practice diet interventions and protocols, client demographics, practitioner demographics, and barriers). Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate results. Survey participants, RDNs (N=739), were recruited from Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Weight management occupies most (69%) of surveyed RDNs work time. App use was the most common method of food record collection (n=299), and food record accuracy was the most prevalent cited barrier to weight loss magnitude (n=233). Most (n=253) RDNs reported seeing their typical client once a month with an average continued engagement of one month being the most prevalent (n=197). Lastly, most RDNs (81%, n=595) do not have a customary program or diet they refer clients to. In conclusion, improvements in technologically enhanced platforms for accurate diet record collection and patient education may benefit RDNs weight management practice and further research into reasons for patient attrition from weight loss counselling is warranted.