CDE and non-CDE dietitians' knowledge of exercise and content of exercise programs for older adults with type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To study differences between non-certified diabetes educator registered dietitians (non-CDE-RDs) and certified diabetes educator registered dietitians (CDE-RDs) in the design and content of programs to promote physical activity in older adults with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
The Exercise Teaching Questionnaire was used to assess knowledge of and promotion of physical activity.


METHODS
Surveys were sent to CDE-RDs and non-CDE-RDs in Florida, California, and Texas. Ninety-four CDE-RDs and 73 non-CDE-RDs completed the study.


METHODS
The independent variable was CDE status. The dependent variables were knowledge, design, content, and total exercise scores.


METHODS
Two-way ANOVA's tested for Knowledge, Design, and Content scores by RD status and one of the following: years practicing in diabetes education, state, and practice setting.


RESULTS
The exercise Knowledge, Design and Content scores were significantly (P < .001) higher in the CDE-RDs compared to those of the non-CDE-RDs.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that education and experience play a key role in the design and content of programs to promote physical activity in older adults. Therefore, the results raise the question of the role the dietitian and nutrition educator should play in the promotion of physical activity in older adults.
George
Valerie A
VA
Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA. georgev@fiu.edu
Stevenson
Jason
J
Harris
Cristen L
CL
Casazza
Krista
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002140:California; D002568:Certification; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D004046:Dietetics / Q000592:standards*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005431:Florida; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas