Reflections on the Journey to Improve Medical Nutrition Education

Abstract

The landscape of nutrition education within the United States health care system has a rich history although the impact remains limited. This paper explores various change drivers to address the need for increased value for incorporating knowledge of food and nutrition into health professions education. Key initiatives discussed include the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, the Medical Nutrition Education Summit and recent Food Is Medicine Summits which have contributed to reshaping healthcare priorities. This paper also underscores the relevance of value-based care and interprofessional collaboration in addressing the nation’s nutrition-related challenges. With acknowledgement of persistent barriers to the effective integration of nutrition education across the medical curricula continuum, the paper recognizes the historical perspectives that have contributed to today’s landscape. It also explores strategies proposed to enhance medical nutrition education, including funding sources, curriculum development, competency frameworks, culinary medicine programs and legislation. The authors emphasize the need for sustained advocacy, innovative and intentional curriculum design, and interprofessional collaboration to equip health care professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively address the mounting burden of diet-related diseases today.