Year
2024
Season
Spring
Paper Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Brooks College of Health
Degree Name
Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN)
Department
Nutrition & Dietetics
NACO controlled Corporate Body
University of North Florida. Department of Nutrition & Dietetics
First Advisor
Dr. Andrea Y. Arikawa
Second Advisor
Dr. Lauri Wright
Third Advisor
Dr. Jamisha Leftwich
Department Chair
Dr, Andrea Y. Arikawa
College Dean
Dr. Mei Zhao
Abstract
Background - Dietitians are represented by fewer than 3% African Americans and 6% Hispanics compared with population demographics of 13% and 19% respectively. Despite 50 years of research on pipeline education, mentorship programs, cultural competency, and funding opportunities, minority participation in dietetics remains disproportionately low. At a time of increasing health care disparity, it is more important than ever to recruit and retain minorities in dietetics to optimally serve an ever increasingly diverse population.
Methods - 18 Historically Black Colleges and 26 high Hispanic census schools nationwide were contacted by email and follow-up phone call to explore and address ethnic barriers through dissemination of a pilot-study video production. Survey results were stored in Qualtrics and select questions analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis.
Results – Barriers revealed include 51.7% of respondents were concerned about the cost and time commitment of RD graduate school. Another 59.78% of participants learned about RD graduate requirements very late in their college careers. After viewing the motivational video, 64% of respondents reported they were more likely to consider becoming an RD, and 89.7% replied the video helped improve their appreciation for the role of RD’s. Chi-Squared analysis of increased interest in attending dietetics graduate after viewing the video was c2 (1) = 2.698, r = .10.
Conclusion – Building a personal link with “People like me” and a connection with helping others through dietetics may be necessary to overcome minority barriers to entry into dietetics. Post-video responses indicate that providing program information early and building connection may the missing pieces needed to increase minority participation in dietetics.
Suggested Citation
Best, Lisa C., "Clearing ethnic minority roadblocks to entry into the field of dietetics: A mixed analysis" (2024). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1254.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/1254