Noel M M, Ames B D
Department of Family Practice, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
J Am Diet Assoc. 1989 Dec;89(12):1753-7.
Dietitians' attitudes and knowledge about aging are important because of the potential influence on quality and quantity of nutrition services provided to older adults. Four instruments were used to survey active members of The American Dietetic Association (ADA) in Michigan. The survey was mailed to 1,408 dietitians; 738 responded (52.4%). The responding dietitians were predominantly under 40, well educated, and female, which was consistent with the 1986 national census of ADA members. The results indicated that dietitians hold positive attitudes toward older adults in most areas. An exception was that a majority of the dietitians perceived older adults as resistant to treatment. Although dietitians' knowledge about aging generally was adequate, the questionnaire revealed that dietitians lacked knowledge in the areas of economic and health status; dietitians answered that older adults have a lower income and are sicker and more institutionalized than is in fact true. These are critical areas of deficiency in knowledge by dietitians, since food and nutrition issues often involve money and health. In the problem-solving section of the study, the dietitians usually focused on one specific environment or area of concern. Neither the full range of all possible environments for older adults nor the diversity of older adults' needs was usually considered. Continuing education as well as comprehensive undergraduate courses on aging would have a positive influence on Michigan dietitians' attitudes and knowledge about aging.
由于对为老年人提供的营养服务的质量和数量可能产生影响，营养师对衰老的态度和知识很重要。使用了四种工具对密歇根州美国饮食协会（ADA）的活跃成员进行调查。调查问卷被邮寄给1408名营养师；738人做出了回应（52.4%）。做出回应的营养师主要年龄在40岁以下，受过良好教育，且以女性为主，这与1986年ADA成员的全国人口普查情况一致。结果表明，营养师在大多数方面对老年人持积极态度。一个例外是，大多数营养师认为老年人抗拒治疗。虽然营养师对衰老的知识总体上是足够的，但调查问卷显示，营养师在经济和健康状况方面缺乏知识；营养师回答说老年人的收入较低、健康状况较差且入住机构的比例较高，而实际情况并非如此。这些是营养师知识方面的关键不足之处，因为食品和营养问题往往涉及金钱和健康。在研究的问题解决部分，营养师通常关注一个特定的环境或关注领域。通常既没有考虑到老年人所有可能的全部环境范围，也没有考虑到老年人需求的多样性。继续教育以及关于衰老的综合本科课程将对密歇根州营养师对衰老的态度和知识产生积极影响。
