title: Professional training in nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe: current status and opportunities for capacity development.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the availability of academic programmes in nutrition and identify nutrition training needs in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire with close-ended and open-ended questions was distributed to the members of the United Nations University Standing Committee on Nutrition, Regional Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition in CEE (NCDN CEE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants' responses to the questionnaire including the comments of their colleagues from home institutions were obtained in group discussions during NCDN CEE meetings in 2010-2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen CEE countries' experts and their colleagues from home institutions involved in NCDN CEE activities 2007-2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The responses were obtained from fourteen out of sixteen participating countries; five countries have established Bachelor, Master and PhD studies in nutrition (Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia), whereas in Latvia and Republic of Macedonia only Bachelor and Master studies are set up. Seven countries have no Bachelor, Master or PhD studies: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia. Introduction to data analysis and Nutritional epidemiology are the most needed nutrition trainings that would increase working competence of nutritionists and nutrition-related professionals in CEE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Availability of academic programmes in nutrition in CEE countries is limited. Opportunities for improving the competence of existing and future nutrition-related professionals should be addressed at national and regional level; distance learning courses and creation of a regional centre for nutrition training were seen as opportunities for sustainable capacity development in nutrition in CEE.
authors.affiliation: 1Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism,Institute for Medical Research,University of Belgrade,Tadeuša Košćuška 1,11 000 Belgrade,Serbia.
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gurinović
authors.affiliation: 1Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism,Institute for Medical Research,University of Belgrade,Tadeuša Košćuška 1,11 000 Belgrade,Serbia.
authors.forename: Romana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Novaković
authors.affiliation: 2Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology,University of Zagreb,Zagreb,Croatia.
authors.forename: Zvonimir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Šatalić
authors.affiliation: 1Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism,Institute for Medical Research,University of Belgrade,Tadeuša Košćuška 1,11 000 Belgrade,Serbia.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nikolić
authors.affiliation: 1Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism,Institute for Medical Research,University of Belgrade,Tadeuša Košćuška 1,11 000 Belgrade,Serbia.
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Milešević
authors.affiliation: 1Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism,Institute for Medical Research,University of Belgrade,Tadeuša Košćuška 1,11 000 Belgrade,Serbia.
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ranić
authors.affiliation: 1Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism,Institute for Medical Research,University of Belgrade,Tadeuša Košćuška 1,11 000 Belgrade,Serbia.
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glibetić
mesh_terms: D057191:Capacity Building / Q000379:methods; D020375:Education, Distance; D004500:Education, Graduate; D004517:Education, Professional; D004813:Epidemiology / Q000193:education*; D005061:Europe, Eastern; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Academic nutrition education; Capacity development; Central and Eastern Europe