Knowledge, attitude, and patient advice on sustainable diets among Spanish health professionals

Current dietary patterns, especially in high-income countries, are unsustainable. Health professionals, due to their credibility and close contact with the general population, could serve as agents of change for the adoption of sustainable diets. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding sustainable diets among the health professionals in Spain. A 24-item online questionnaire was designed for this purpose, and sent to health professionals (i.e., dietitians-nutritionists, nurses, physicians, and pharmacists). From September 2021 to May 2022, 2,545 health professionals answered the survey completely. One-fifth of them had never heard the term sustainable diet, and most of them recognized having limited knowledge about it. They considered promoting sustainable diets when making dietary recommendations important, and pointed out that they would like to be trained on the topic. Indeed, they reported that all health professionals, independent of their career background, should be educated on sustainable diets. Efforts should be stressed on implementing training courses, at university level but also as continuous post-graduate training, providing health professionals in Spain the necessary knowledge to promote the adoption of sustainable diets among the population.

Automated summary

Current dietary patterns in high-income countries are unsustainable, and health professionals can serve as agents of change for promoting sustainable diets. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude regarding sustainable diets among health professionals in Spain through an online survey. The results showed that many health professionals had limited knowledge about sustainable diets, but recognized the importance of promoting them and expressed a desire for training on the topic. Efforts should be made to provide education and training on sustainable diets to health professionals in Spain.