SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences

COMPLETED MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE THESIS IN

NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE

Author and graduation date: Jessica E. ZIEGLER, November, 2002

Committee members: Audrey Spindler (Chair), Mark Kern, Judy Price

Thesis title: The Psychological Components of Weight Loss Counseling Used by Registered Dietitians in the State of California

p align="justify">Objective. The aims of this study were to: evaluate California dietitians' knowledge and frequency of use of psychological techniques in weight-loss counseling, determine the current education and/or continuing education the dietitians had in psychological techniques, and query practicing dietitians about the sufficiency of their education in psychology.

Design. A 61-item questionnaire (including demographic information) was developed based upon research recommendations for using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to treat obesity. The questionnaire was validated for content by 10 nutrition experts and used to gather data.

Subjects. Registered dietitians (N = 1,792) living in California were invited to participate. Usable data were collected from 617 respondents.

Statistical analysis. Subjects were grouped by membership or non-membership in a dietetic practice group, years of experience, and levels of education. One-way ANOVA for parametric data followed by Scheffe post-hoc test, and Kruskal-Wallis test or Mann-Whitney test for non-parametric data were used to determine differences between or among groups.

Results. Dietitians have little undergraduate education in the area of psychology of weight management. Most (75 %) have taken continuing education in psychology and 90 indicated a need for additional education in psychology. Significant differences were found between members and non-members of practice groups in the frequency of CBT techniques used (p < 0.001) and their confidence level in using the techniques (p < 0.05) . Having an advanced degree increased frequency of use (p < 0.05), and years of experience facilitated a more in-depth interaction with patients (p < 0.05).

Application/conclusion. Future dietitians may need more didactic instruction in psychology, while future and current practitioners need continuing education in CBT, to provide this type of effective research based weight-loss counseling to the obese segment of the population.

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