Abstracts from Dietetic Research Event – June 4-5, 2009

Once again, the Dietitians of Canada (DC) national conference in Charlottetown provided an opportunity to showcase current research in dietetics and nutrition through the Canadian Dietetic Foundation for Dietetic Research (CFDR) Research Event. We had a large number of abstracts submitted this year, and included 24 oral presentations and 47 posters in the program. I was abstract editor 15 years ago when the DC conference was held in Charlottetown, and I was delighted to see the increased level of interest since then.

It is critical for dietitians to be involved in research because it forms the framework and foundation for dietetics. We need to be the generators of the knowledge base for our profession, whether we are students, interns, collaborators, or principal investigators, and whether that knowledge is generated through measuring the impact of our practice, conducting basic research, or exploring the experiences and attitudes of those in our own profession. One of the most exciting things about research in nutrition and dietetics is the diversity of methods and approaches used. In fact, the abstracts included in the DC Conference 2009 are as diverse as our profession. Research presented will enhance our understanding of advances in nutrition education, national guidance, underlying mechanisms of chronic disease, and food service management, to name just a few areas. Settings also vary from public health to long-term care to university laboratories.

Dietitians shared their “better practices” in such areas as nutrition screening and assessment, enhancing teaching and learning in undergraduate dietetic education and graduate studies, and health literacy and school nutrition. The “buzz” that these presentations and posters are sure to create will keep our profession vibrant and growing.

On behalf of the membership of Dietitians of Canada, I would like to thank Dr. Candice Rideout and Kimberley Hernandez who, along with myself, constituted the small but hard-working Abstracts Review Committee. They not only gave up their time, they provided their expertise in judging a large number of abstracts. I would also like to thank the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research for its ongoing support of practice-based research in Canada. I am particularly grateful to Diana Sheh and Isla Horvath for shepherding us through the review process and the scheduling of presentations.

Please join me in celebrating Canadian dietetic research represented in these abstracts of the poster sessions and oral abstract presentations from this year's CFDR Research Event.