ORCID
- Clare Pettinger: 0000-0001-7182-9463
Abstract
A content analysis of course descriptions from program websites was conducted between 2021and 2022. Courses were reviewed, analyzed, and evaluated using a novel sustainability metric.Despite a growing awareness of the gap between professional expectations and competence,there has been no comprehensive appraisal of sustainable food systems (SFS) education withindietetics and nutrition programs to date. Dietitians and nutritionists play important roles inpromoting sustainability yet many perceive themselves to be inadequately trained. This projectexplored how, and to what degree, SFS education is incorporated into accredited nutrition anddietetics programs in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. SFS is integrated into theeducation environment of some, but not all, dietetics and nutrition programs to varying degrees(no, partial, and full). Partial and full integration was present in a small percentage of courses,with a larger percentage in nutrition programs. SFS education was offered more often through asingle unit than a dedicated course. Twelve best practice examples of courses dedicated to SFSwere identified. In the UK, their focus was nutrition and diet, contrasting food and food systemsin Australia and Canada. These findings provide insight into SFS education for professionalsocieties, instructors, and program directors. Through intentional curricular designconsiderations supported by this study, program leads can take small, consciousreorganizational steps to integrate SFS. This study offers a sound methodology to initiate andbenchmark further assessment and a novel approach for other professions looking to equip theirfuture workforce through SFS education
DOI
10.1108/IJSHE-09-2023-0449
Publication Date
2024-08-27
Publication Title
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN
1467-6370
Keywords
Curricula, Dietetics, Food system, Nutrition education, Sustainable
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Wegener, J., Barbour, L., Carlsson, L., Pettinger, C., Everitt, T., & Meyer, N. (2024) 'Sustainable food systems education in nutrition and dietetics: an appraisal of the tertiary landscape in multiple countries', International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, . Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-09-2023-0449
