With an alarming rise in diet-related diseases, it’s concerning to note that many doctors receive little to no nutrition education. For those unaware, bad dietary habits are now responsible for more deaths than smoking in the U.S., with the top killers being cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. As these conditions are not just common and debilitating but also expensive to treat, costing about $400 billion per year. As the cost of health care continues to climb, in next 25 years, it is predicted to reach an astonishing $1.3 trillion.
To stem the tide of these diet-related diseases, physicians could play a vital role in offering accurate and preventive advice about diet; however, the reality points to a different story concerning their knowledge on nutrition. According to a survey from 2023 involving more than 1,000 U.S. medical students, about 58% admitted they received no formal nutrition education during their four years in medical school. Those who did get some exposure to nutrition education only averaged about three hours per year – a figure grossly inadequate in comparison to the recommended total of 25 hours set by the U.S. Committee on Nutrition in Medical Education back in 1985.
This flaw in the education system has a direct repercussion on physicians’ understanding of nutrition. A study revealed that more than half of 257 first- and second-year osteopathic medical students failed a nutrition knowledge quiz. What’s concerning is that prior to the test; 55% felt comfortable counseling patients on nutrition.
This issue is not confined only to U.S. medical schools, but it is a worldwide problem. A 2018 global study concluded that nutrition education across medical schools around the globe is woefully inadequate. One might ask why despite its obvious importance, nutrition education is lacking in medical education. Some common reasons include the crowded curricula of medical courses, lack of time among physicians for continued education in nutrition science, and lack of qualified instructors for nutrition courses.
To paint a positive picture, effective nutrition education is not a myth. When provided, it drastically improves the knowledge and understanding among medical students and physicians. In fact, almost 90% of medical students were found to support mandatory nutrition education in medical school curriculum. However, the stark reality and longstanding neglect of nutrition education suggests that it won’t be an integral part of medical curriculum anytime soon.
On an encouraging note, there is no shortage of qualified professionals in the field of nutrition. Registered dietitians, certified nutrition specialists, etc., are well-prepared and knowledgeable to offer dietary advice. However, typically, a referral from a health care provider like a physician is needed for the appointment with these professionals to be covered by insurance. This additional step could be one reason why people frequently turn to other sources for nutrition advice, such as social media – a vessel of partial or misleading information.
Given the current scenario, it is highly advisable for those who want to learn more about a healthy diet to meet with a nutrition professional, or at least refer to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans or the World Health Organization’s healthy diet recommendations.
