2012- 21st Annual NC State Undergraduate Research Symposium

Session Time : 4/10/12 12:15 PM - 4/10/12 1:30 PM

Content Area : Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences

Poster Appointment: , -

Student Presenters :
Jennifer Renee Wheeley Biological Sciences

De'Ja Alexander Biological Sciences;
Brittany Lang Human Biology

Mentors and/or Co-Authors :
Suzie Goodell Food, Bioprocessing & Nutrition Sciences
Alice Raad Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences;
Natalie Cooke Food Science;

Abstract Title : Qualitative Assessment of Third and Fourth Year Medical School Students Knowledge of Childhood Obesity Gained from Clinical Rotations

Abstract :
Childhood obesity has become a major problem facing the United States and its healthcare system. Many patients believe healthcare providers are credible sources of nutrition information, so healthcare providers can have a direct effect on the nutrition information their patients receive. In this study, researchers conducted 78 interviews with third and fourth year medical school students around the nation about their views on childhood obesity. Each student was asked to describe what they have learned during their clinical rotations about the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of childhood obesity. Transcripts of interviews were analyzed for dominant emergent themes. Researchers found that students said they lacked interaction with obese children during their medical school clinical rotations and that they were impacted by their clinical rotation preceptors’ opinions and practices. Researchers also found that student’s clinical experiences varied greatly. One way medical students could receive more consistent nutrition education during their clinical rotations is to expose the students to more obese children and to incorporate practical counseling skills in their clinical rotations.