A social media intervention for dietetics professionals to increase awareness about racial/ethnic diversity and inclusion in dietetics: Black voices centered
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Published version
Date
2021
DOI
Authors
DeBiasse, Michele A.
Qamar, Zubaida
Burt, Kate Gardner
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Published version
OA Version
Citation
M. DeBiasse, Z. Qamar, K. Burt. 2021. "A social media intervention for dietetics professionals to increase awareness about racial/ethnic diversity and inclusion in dietetics: Black voices centered." Journal of Critical Dietetics, Volume 4, Issue 2, pp. 40 - 48.
Abstract
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) is a professional organization founded by and largely for white women. Black-identifying dietetics professionals currently make up only 2.6% of credentialed professionals, while Black-identifying residents comprise 13.4% of the US population. To understand participant opinions, beliefs, experiences, knowledge, and actions related to racial ethnic diversity and inclusion (REDI) in general and in dietetics specifically we conducted a 20-week intervention study, delivered over a social media platform (Facebook group). The content, developed prior to the intervention, was informed by the Trans-theoretical Model of Change and Critical Race Theory and was structured to provide educational content related to REDI. Participants completed baseline, and then a follow up survey after the 20-week intervention. Here we present baseline data from (n=30) Black-identifying participants of the main study. Participants were mostly young, female, Academy member RDNs with at least a Master’s degree. They voiced strong opinion that dietetics is neither diverse nor inclusive, and that the Academy should actively engage in efforts to enhance diversity in the profession. They believe that the Academy should focus on REDI and that it is important that white-identifying members engage in that work. Participants reported engaging in conversations and with media about race/privilege in their personal and professional lives, and that they had either experienced or witnessed microaggression while performing their jobs in dietetics. Results of this sub-study offer insight into the Black experience in dietetics as well as ways the Academy can improve diversity and inclusion within its organization and membership.
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Copyright 2021 The Author(s).