Diet-related diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the US – yet many doctors receive little to no nutrition education in med school
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Diet-related diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the US – yet many doctors receive little to no nutrition education in med school
Deception on TV and Reality of Nutrition Education
On television shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Resident” and “Chicago Med,” physicians seem to always have the right answer.
However, when it comes to nutrition and dietary advice, that may not be the case.
One of us is an assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics; the other is a medical student with a master’s degree in nutrition.
The High Stakes of Nutrition Education
Diet-related diseases are the leading causes of death in the U.S., and a poor diet is responsible for more deaths than smoking. These health problems are not only common and debilitating, but expensive.
Treating high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol costs about $400 billion per year. Within 25 years, those costs are expected to triple, to $1.3 trillion.
Why the Lack of Nutrition Education Matters
These facts support the need for physicians to give accurate advice about diet to help prevent these diseases. But how much does a typical physician know about nutrition?
The Deficiencies in Nutrition Education
In a 2023 survey of more than 1,000 U.S. medical students, about 58% of respondents said they received no formal nutrition education while in medical school for four years. Those who did averaged about three hours of nutrition education per year.
This is woefully short of the goals set by the U.S. Committee on Nutrition in Medical Education back in 1985: that med students should receive a total of 25 hours of nutrition education while in school – a little more than six hours per year.
A 2015 study showed only 29% of medical schools met this goal, and a 2023 study suggests the problem has become even worse – only 7.8% of med students reported 20 or more hours of nutrition education across all four years of med school.
Why Nutrition Education Is Often Overlooked
Physicians are often busy people, and there is often no room in their schedule for nutrition education. As a result, nutrition becomes an afterthought.
The lack of qualified instructors for nutrition courses is also a significant obstacle. Many medical schools rely on physicians to teach nutrition, but those physicians do not have adequate nutrition training.
Finding the Right Advice
The best source of nutrition information is a registered dietitian, certified nutrition specialist, or other type of nutrition professional with multiple degrees and certification.
Anyone can give dietary advice on social media, but it’s best to seek advice from qualified professionals who understand the complex relationships between nutrition, disease, and individual factors such as age, sex, and personal preferences.
Conclusion
Diet-related diseases are the leading cause of death in the U.S., and a poor diet is responsible for more deaths than smoking. Unfortunately, many doctors receive little to no nutrition education in med school, which means they are not equipped to provide accurate advice about diet and its impact on health.
In order to address this problem, it’s essential to provide quality nutrition education to medical students and to prioritize the education of nutrition professionals. We hope that in the future, nutrition education will be an integral part of every medical school’s curriculum and that doctors will be empowered to provide the best possible advice to their patients about diet and health.
FAQs
What are the leading causes of death in the US, and how do diet-related diseases fit in?
Diet-related diseases are the leading causes of death in the US. Treating high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol costs about $400 billion per year, and these costs are expected to triple by 2040.
How much nutrition education do medical students typically receive in med school?
In a 2023 survey of more than 1,000 U.S. medical students, about 58% of respondents said they received no formal nutrition education while in medical school for four years. Those who did averaged about three hours of nutrition education per year.
Why are registered dietitians and nutrition specialists the best source of nutrition information?
Registered dietitians and nutrition specialists have received extensive training in nutrition and dietetics and have a deep understanding of the complex relationships between nutrition, disease, and individual factors such as age, sex, and personal preferences. They are equipped to provide personalized and effective dietary advice.
Can I get reliable nutrition advice from social media?
About 94% of social media posts about nutrition and diet are of low value – either inaccurate or lacking adequate data to back up the claim. It’s best to seek advice from qualified professionals rather than social media.
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