Publication Date

2022

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

McCarthy, Amanda K.

Degree Name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Legacy Department

School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions

Abstract

Within the past few years, various nutrition-relevant considerations related to the care of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals have been emphasized. However, the preparedness of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) to provide nutrition care to this highly marginalized group with unique health concerns is unknown. Available research on the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of RDNs as it relates to the care of the TGD community is scarce. It is unknown how frequently transgender-specific health and nutrition topics are being taught to emerging RDNs and nutrition professionals. Further, the potential barriers that nutrition and dietetics educators perceive or face as it relates to providing this education for their students have not been explored. The aim of the present study was to further explore the potential nutrition-relevant considerations of TGD individuals as well as gain insight on the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and experiences of nutrition and dietetics educators and emerging nutrition professionals related to the care of TGD patients. In this study, 83 articles were reviewed to establish a foundational understanding of both the inherent psychosocial nutrition-related considerations as well as the nutrition-relevant impact of gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) that may be experienced by TGD individuals. The study also included two surveys administered electronically using Qualtrics. The first survey included 171 nutrition educators and revealed that 91.8% had never received education on the nutritional needs of TGD individuals from their undergraduate, graduate/internship program, or employer and that 59.6% received education through self-initiated learning opportunities. While most educators surveyed reported that this was an important topic for RDNs to learn about and overall had positive attitudes and beliefs toward the TGD community, most did not regularly include TGD-specific health or nutrition topics in their curricula and 83.4% reported that they lacked the knowledge and expertise to lead education on this topic. The second survey included 288 students/interns, recent graduates, and novice nutrition professionals. Two-thirds reported that they had never received any education or training on the nutritional care of TGD patients. For those who had been educated, most reported that education to have come from their graduate coursework or internship experiences. In alignment with their overall positive attitudes and beliefs toward the TGD community, more than 95% reported that this was an important topic and more than 90% expressed interest in learning more about the nutrition considerations for TGD patients. The findings of this research offer insight into the baseline knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and experiences of emerging nutrition professionals and their educators as it relates to providing nutrition care to TGD patients. Through this study, many important nutrition-relevant considerations were explored which can serve as a foundation for developing educational interventions. Based on the findings of this study, it is clear that opportunities exist for RDNs to become more involved in the care of the TGD community, however they will need adequate education and training.

Extent

229 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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