title: Validation of an instrument to measure registered dietitians'/nutritionists' knowledge, attitudes and practices of an intuitive eating approach.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to develop and assess the construct validity of a tool to measure knowledge, attitudes and practices of registered dietitians/nutritionists (RD/N) regarding an intuitive eating lifestyle.
  
  
  
  Cross-sectional study design that utilized a survey administered to a random sample and remaining full population of RD/N.
  
  
  
  A national survey conducted via online survey software.
  
  
  
  A random sample of 10 % of all RD/N in the USA (n 8834) was invited to participate. Survey completion rate was 22·2 % (n 1897). After initial validation, the survey was distributed to the remaining 90 % of RD/N to confirm validation.
  
  
  
  After removing items with insufficient factor loadings, results were consistent with a four-factor solution: (i) knowledge of intuitive eating; (ii) attitudes towards intuitive eating; (iii) traditional and restrictive practices; and (iv) non-restrictive and intuitive eating practices. Confirmatory factor analysis provided further evidence of the validity of the four factors and the factors had strong reliability.
  
  
  
  Unlike the hypothesized three-factor solution (knowledge, attitudes and practices), validation analysis revealed that the survey measures knowledge of intuitive eating, attitudes towards intuitive eating, use of traditional and restrictive weight-management practices, and use of non-restrictive and intuitive eating practices. With the landscape of weight management and health promotion undergoing a shift towards a health centred, size acceptance approach, this instrument will provide valuable information regarding the current knowledge, attitudes and practices of RD/N and other health promotion professionals.
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health,Kent State University,PO Box 5190,Kent,OH 44242-001,USA.
authors.forename: Julie T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health,Kent State University,PO Box 5190,Kent,OH 44242-001,USA.
authors.forename: Melissa D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Zullo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064686:Nutritionists / Q000193:education*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords:  attitudes and practices; Intuitive eating; Knowledge; Registered dietitian/nutritionist; Weight-management practices