Abstract: The lack of nutrition education for physicians and medical students is a topic of interest that could potentially help decrease the rates of cardiovascular disease in the United States and around the world. The inadequacy of nutritional information provided to patients by doctors has been closely linked to risks for cardiovascular diseases. This literature review paper will present the current research reflecting the demand for nutritional training among physicians in the United States while highlighting the lack of interest among doctors in countries such as Saudi Arabia. The efforts of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promoting nutrition advocacy in medical settings has been found to be critical in combining the efforts of nutritionists and doctors to work together in medical settings. The Coaching On Achieving Cardiovascular Health (COACH) is also discussed as an important tool for lifestyle recommendations combined with important medical information to improve patient health. In essence, the research shows that there is a need for doctors to act as storytellers encouraging patients to think holistically about health, which includes diet recommendations to patients. Furthermore, greater efforts to implement nutrition training among medical doctors in countries where nutrition is often overlooked must be considered in order to reduce the rates of cardiovascular disease.
Keywords: Nutrition education deficiency, cardiovascular diseases, nutritionally trained doctors, registered dietitian nutritionist, COACH program, evidence-based health food and supplements, nutrition intervention, community health teams.
Title: Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases: The Need for Nutrition Education among Physicians
Author: Daniel Hwang
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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