An evaluation of nutrition education in baccalaureate nursing programs across the county

Background: Obesity in the United States plagues 70% of adults and over 30 million are diagnosed with diabetes. Research confirms diet as the most significant risk factor, yet this is not being disseminated to providers. Extensive research exists confirming the lack of nutrition education in medical programs, while little exists within nursing programs. Methods: Eighty United States baccalaureate nursing programs were evaluated for nutrition content along with a survey of the faculty regarding their opinions of the nutrition curriculum. Program evaluation and survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.  Results: Among baccalaureate nursing programs, 66% of programs required a nutrition course, averaging 2 hours while 34% of programs had no nutrition requirement, and only 16% had evidence-based nutrition content.  Conclusions: Medical school curricula are moving to include evidence-based nutrition content. Nursing is compelled to address this curriculum deficit thereby facilitating appropriate dissemination of evidence-based nutrition education.