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Objectives: In Latin America, clinical dietitian-nutritionists (DNs) play a crucial role in addressing the rising prevalence of chronic disease and malnutrition within hospitals. However, there is a lack of a common tool to evaluate prioritization activities among nutrition professionals. Having a reliable tool could help standardize and enhance the quality clinical nutrition practice in Latin America, as well as enable optimal utilization of the DN skills, ultimately reducing job burnout and improving quality of care. This study aimed to: 1) develop a Professional Weighted Activities Score (PwAS) to assess the professional activities of DNs in hospital settings according to task prioritization; and 2) apply the new scoring system to a previously collected sample of Latin American DNs. The PwAS tool was developed using the criteria of a panel of experts from all participating countries. A multicentric and cross-sectional study was conducted among 1222 clinical DNs from 13 Latin American countries to identify their professional activities in public and private health care facilities. The survey comprised 30 questions related to clinical nutrition tasks, with responses weighted according to the priority assigned by an expert panel. A PwAS was developed encompassing 19 activities performed by clinical DN, each assigned a prioritization score by a panel of experts in clinical nutrition. The scoring spectrum ranged from 0 to 100, reflecting the variability in DN engagement with their professional activities. The analysis revealed significant differences in the professional activities of DNs across various countries. Guatemala, Paraguay, and Colombia achieved the highest scores, while Costa Rica, Peru, and Uruguay recorded the lowest. Factors positively associated with higher PwAS scores included greater years of experience and multiple specializations. In contrast, working in low-complexity facilities and facing barriers to task performance were negatively correlated with the PwAS. The significant variation observed in clinical nutrition practices across countries underscores the need for studies to identify underlying causes and develop standardization. The PwAS tool could serve as a valuable resource for hospital administrators seeking to optimize staffing and enhance the quality of nutritional care within Latin American health care systems. •A panel of 146 expert dietitian-nutritionists from Latin America identified and established a prioritization order for 19 key activities that are fundamental to the professional practice of the clinical dietitian-nutritionist in hospital settings.•The Professional Weighted Activity Score (PwAS) highlights critical determinants for the performance of clinical dietitian-nutritionists in the context of each country. In addition, it addresses the complexity of health care facilities, the number of specialties, and perceived barriers to performance of the activities.•The PwAS represents innovative methodological progress as it integrates the frequency of task execution and the clinical prioritization assigned by the experts.

Background/Objectives: Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are allied healthcare professionals who can help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) incorporate healthy eating, but little is known about their involvement in MS care. Thus, the objective of this survey was to investigate the perceptions and utilization of RDNs in MS care among multidisciplinary MS providers in the United States and Canada. Methods: An online survey was disseminated via the Consortium of MS Centers email listserv and MS-specific scientific conferences. The survey queried practitioner type, RDN referrals, the perceived benefits of RDNs in MS care, and the proportion of their patients who follow ‘MS diets’ or have nutrition-related issues. Reasons for or against RDN referral and beneficial resources were also queried. Results: Of the 60 completed surveys, respondents were primarily neurologists (n = 27, 45.0%). Most (n = 43, 71.7%) indicated that half or more of their patients inquire about diet, but n = 32 (53.3%) indicated that very few follow an ‘MS diet’ and n = 47 (78.3%) indicated that very few decline disease-modifying therapies to follow an ‘MS diet’. Most (n = 45, 77.6%) respondents indicated referring their patients to a RDN with lack of nutrition knowledge/general healthy eating advice (n = 34, 73.9%) and overweight/obesity (n = 31, 67.4%) as being the most common reasons for referral. RDNs were reported as being helpful or extremely helpful by n = 38 (84.4%) of respondents who reported referring to RDNs. Most (n = 46, 79.3%) indicated that their patients would benefit from having an RDN with MS-specialized training as a member of staff. Conclusions: MS care providers support the need for RDNs with specialized training in MS care.

The education and accreditation system of dietitian-nutritionists has gone through various changes throughout the years. These systems are important to produce competent nutrition professionals. Standardization attempts have been done internationally by the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations. Many countries have developed their own standards to educate and accredit nutrition professionals to ensure the quality of the nutrition and dietetic profession. Through internet and database searching, this paper aims to review and describe the education requirements and accreditation system of nutrition professionals in Indonesia and compare it to other countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore. Most countries, including Indonesia, require a minimum of bachelor’s degree to be a nutritionist and a dietitian, whereas the US requires a minimum of master's degree. In Indonesia, there is also an additional one-year training program after completing the undergraduate study that need to be taken if an individual wants to register as a dietitian or nutritionist, while other countries have included this similar program to their undergraduate or Master course. A certification exam to be a dietitian or nutritionist is required by Indonesia, the US, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, and Thailand, while the remaining others do not. In conclusion, differences in dietetic education and accreditation system were found. Indonesia’s nutrition and dietetic education system already meet the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations standard, and on par with some countries reviewed here. However, further improvements are still needed.

Background/Objectives: Low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCSs) provide sweetness in food applications that are suggested to support consumers’ reduced consumption of caloric sweeteners and added sugar intake. Consumers seek guidance and advice on using LNCSs from healthcare providers, including dietitians and nutritionists. However, prior research suggests there may be inconsistent guidance on the use of LNCSs. The main goal is to assess dietitians’ and nutritionists’ perceptions and knowledge of LNCSs. We also evaluate the impact of educational intervention on the perceptions and knowledge of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCSs) among healthcare professionals. Methods: Participants completed an online questionnaire on their perceptions of LNCSs before and after viewing a webinar given by a member of the FDA on the safety and approval process of LNCSs. A total of 187 participants completed the pre-questionnaire, and 58 participants completed the post-questionnaire. Results: The LNCSs most familiar to participants was aspartame, followed by stevia, with thaumatin, advantame, and neotame being the least familiar sweeteners. While all sweeteners were FDA-approved, there were differences in perceived safety and suitability for dietary use. Following the intervention, there was a significant improvement in the participant’s knowledge, understanding, and confidence in the safety and approval process of LNCSs and reduced negative perceptions of LNCSs on health. Conclusions: With nutritionists and dietitians being the primary sources of nutritional guidance, consumers may seek their recommendations regarding using LNCSs. However, this study revealed differences in suitability across FDA-approved LNCSs and a lack of confidence regarding the safety and approval process. Education programs regarding the safety and approval process of LNCSs increase confidence in advising patients and clients on the use of LNCSs.

Introduction: Recent guidelines developed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) and the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD) focused on the dietetic management of obesity in adults. The present study aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals regarding these guidelines. Methods: In total, 85 registered dietitians/nutritionists from Greece, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom completed an online survey, and 10 were interviewed, in February–March 2023. Demographic data were also collected. Results: Awareness of the EASO-EFAD guidelines among registered dietitians/nutritionists was moderate (57.6%), but only 20% had read them in full. Dietitians with higher education and relevant experience were more likely to have read the guidelines. Less than half reported that key evidence-based recommendations, such as individualized medical nutrition therapy and intensive behavioral interventions, are already included in national guidance. Recommendations like portfolio or DASH diets, partial meal replacements, and calorie restriction were less commonly part of national guidance/usual practice. A small percentage of participants described their adoption of several nutritional approaches novel to them. These included the portfolio dietary pattern, partial meal replacements, and intermittent fasting or continuous calorie restriction. For some Irish dietitians, prioritizing weight as the main outcome conflicted with their emphasis on overall health and individualized nutrition therapy. Other barriers of recommendation implementation included exclusive availability in English, rapid changes in obesity management, staffing shortages, limited multidisciplinary collaboration, and inconsistent knowledge among healthcare providers. Conclusions: The present study identified gaps in the adoption of the EASO-EFAD guidelines into dietetic/clinical practice. EFAD will develop strategies to disseminate these guidelines at different levels of stakeholders (national/local authorities, dietitians/nutritionists, and patients).