P536 - BODY COMPOSITION AND ENERGY METABOLISM ASSESSMENTS: DIETITIANS’ ACCESS, USE, EDUCATION, AND BELIEFS

P536

BODY COMPOSITION AND ENERGY METABOLISM ASSESSMENTS: DIETITIANS’ ACCESS, USE, EDUCATION, AND BELIEFS

C. E. Orsso¹, A. Caretero¹, H. Ghomashchi¹, M. Atkins², C. Basualdo-Hammond², S. Chevalier^3,4, M. C. Gonzalez^5,6, L. Gramlich^7,8, H. Jager-Wittenaar^9,10,11, N. Kiss¹², M. Quintanilha¹³, S. Sidhu¹⁴, P. Tandon⁷, M. Tom², C. Prado^1,*

¹Human Nutrition Research Unit, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, ²Nutrition Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, ³School of Human Nutrition, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, ⁴Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, ⁵Post-graduate Program in Nutrition and Food, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil, ⁶Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge, United States, ⁷Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology (Liver unit), University of Alberta, Edmonton, ⁸Department of Diabetes, Obesity, and Nutrition Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada, ⁹Research Group Healthy Ageing, Allied Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, ¹⁰Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dietetics, , Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands, ¹¹Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Research Unit Experimental Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium, ¹²Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, ¹³Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, ¹⁴BC Cancer –Victoria, Victoria, Canada

Rationale: Measuring body composition (BC) and energy metabolism (EM) is important for nutritional assessment, yet the integration of these measurements into clinical practice remains limited. Understanding barriers and facilitators is essential to drive change. This study evaluated dietitians’ access, use, education, and beliefs regarding BC techniques and indirect calorimetry for EM assessment.

Methods: Dietitians with ≥1 year experience in oncology, liver or kidney diseases, critical care, weight management, or inpatient care in Alberta, Canada were eligible. Participants completed online surveys for demographics, professional background, access to and use of BC techniques and indirect calorimetry, and prior education and confidence in these assessments. Descriptive data analysis was conducted in JASP (v.0.17).

Results: 36 dietitians completed the survey (65.5% response rate, mean age 41.9±7.6 y, 97% women, 75% >10 y of work experience). Most (86%) reported to never use BC techniques, despite reporting availability of computed tomography (CT: 31%), ultrasound (US: 25%), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA: 6%), and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA: 3%). While 67% received education on BC (BIA: 47%; DXA: 31%; CT:22%; US: 8%), 64% reported low confidence, and for 50%, BC was never part of their role. Regarding EM, 60% reported to never use indirect calorimetry, and 19% occasionally. Q-NRG^® devices (28%) and metabolic carts (19%) were mostly available. Although 67% received EM-related education (metabolic cart: 53%; Q-NRG: 31%), confidence varied (no confidence: 50%; somewhat confident: 17%; very confident: 19%). For 33%, EM assessment was never part of their role.

Conclusion: Despite receiving education in BC and EM, most dietitians reported infrequent use of these assessments in practice. Various barriers may have contributed to limited use, including lack of access to equipment and limited proficiency.

Disclosure of Interest: C. Orsso Other: Speaker engagement and honoraria from Abbott Nutrition, A. Caretero Other: Travel funding support from Fresenius Kabi, H. Ghomashchi: None declared, M. Atkins: None declared, C. Basualdo-Hammond: None declared, S. Chevalier: None declared, M. C. Gonzalez Consultant for: Nestlé Health Science Brazil, Other: Speaker engagement with Abbott Nutrition and Nutricia, L. Gramlich Consultant for: Baxter, Fresenius Kabi, Abbott, Other: Speaker engagement with Baxter, Fresenius Kabi, Abbott, H. Jager-Wittenaar: None declared, N. Kiss: None declared, M. Quintanilha: None declared, S. Sidhu: None declared, P. Tandon: None declared, M. Tom: None declared, C. Prado Grant / Research Support from: CIHR FRN#:183361, Consultant for: Abbott Nutrition, Nutricia, Novo Nordisk, Other: Speaker engagement with Abbott Nutrition, Nutricia, Nestle Health Science, Novo Nordisk