The Role of Registered Dietitians in Patient Education and Counseling About Physical Activity

摘要

Registered dietitians (RDs) can be role models and educate and counsel patients about physical activity (PA). An online questionnaire was sent to RDs practicing in the United States to determine current practices about PA. On the basis of responses from approximately 13000 RDs, 81% reported counseling on PA in some fashion but only 30% reported assessing PA readiness and fewer than half of the RDs met current recommendations for aerobic PA. Further curriculum development and continuing education are needed so that RDs can effectively use the nutrition care process when they counsel their patients about PA.