title: Examining the Promotion of Healthy Eating among Exercise Specialists: A Cross-sectional Study.
abstract: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to survey exercise specialists about nutrition counselling practices, their own dietary practices, and to identify potential relationships. An electronic survey was used to examine characteristics and strategies used for assessing and promoting healthy eating to clients. Exercise specialists (n = 94) were recruited through a public registry and through targeted advertising on 2 professional websites in Alberta, Canada. Eighty-five percent of respondents promoted healthy eating to clients. Confidence in assessing and promoting healthy eating was moderate to low. Those with more than 6 years of professional experience reported higher confidence compared with those with less than 1 year of experience in assessing healthy eating (P < 0.05) and promoting healthy eating (P < 0.01). Confidence was higher among those with more professional experience but who did not meet Canada's Food Guide recommendations (P < 0.05). Professional experience, personal dietary practices, and confidence are important characteristics when considering the assessment and promotion of healthy eating by exercise specialists. Promoting collaborative relationships between registered dietitians and exercise specialists would likely benefit exercise specialists when they are assessing and promoting healthy eating among their clients.
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Nursing and Health Studies, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB.
authors.forename: Steven T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: b Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cornish
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Nursing and Health Studies, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB.
authors.forename: Ellina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lytvyak
authors.affiliation: c Nutrition Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB.
authors.forename: Lorian M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: d Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Nursing and Health Studies, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vallance
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Nursing and Health Studies, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB.
authors.forename: Shawn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Nursing and Health Studies, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB.
authors.forename: Terra
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires