“It Literally Can Save Lives”: How Challenging Structural Inequities in Sexual Orientation and Gender Priorities Can Create Change in the Canadian Dietetic Profession

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
3 May 2022

Abstract

Purpose: Our aim was to explore Canadian dietitians’ knowledge, beliefs, and values relating to the nutritional care of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and other queer groups (2SLGBTQ+).
Methods: The research was qualitative and used a poststructural theoretical lens. Interviews were conducted with 16 Canadian dietitians. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Three themes were noted: (i) moving away from the binary; (ii) systemic discrimination and 2SLGBTQ+ experiences; and (iii) professional organizations and advocacy. The participants discussed structural, professional, and cultural barriers that affect the nutrition and health experiences of sexual and gender diverse groups.
Conclusion: Dietetic institutions and regulatory bodies must provide sexual and gender diversity resources and engage in activities that acknowledge the lives and nutritional concerns of sexual and gender diverse people. Such advocacy is a means to provide more inclusive and equitable care. Key recommendations for structural changes within the profession include using an intersectional lens and a critical dietetic approach to nutritional care.

Résumé

Objectif. Notre objectif était d’explorer les connaissances, croyances et valeurs de diététistes du Canada en lien avec les soins nutritionnels de groupes bispirituels, lesbiens, gais, bisexuels, transgenres, queers et autres (2SLGBTQ+).
Méthodes. La recherche était qualitative et a été réalisée d’un point de vue théorique poststructural. Des entrevues ont été menées auprès de 16 diététistes du Canada. Les données ont été analysées au moyen d’une analyse thématique.
Résultats. Trois thèmes ont été notés : (i) l’abandon du binarisme; (ii) la discrimination systémique et les expériences de groupes 2SLGBTQ+; et (iii) les organisations professionnelles et le plaidoyer. Les participants ont discuté des obstacles structuraux, professionnels et culturels qui affectent les expériences en nutrition et en santé des groupes diversifiés sur le plan du sexe et du genre.
Conclusions. Les organismes de réglementation et les institutions en diététique doivent fournir des ressources sur la diversité de sexe et de genre, et s’engager dans des activités qui reconnaissent la vie et les préoccupations nutritionnelles des groupes diversifiés sur le plan du sexe et du genre. Un tel plaidoyer est un moyen de fournir des soins plus inclusifs et équitables. Les principales recommandations en matière de changements structuraux au sein de la profession sont d’utiliser un point de vue intersectionnel et une approche critique de la diététique en ce qui a trait aux soins nutritionnels.

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Financial support: This work was funded by the Emerging Scholars Grant from Mount Saint Vincent University to the principal investigator, Dr. Phillip Joy.
Conflicts of interest: No conflict of interests reported.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 83Number 3September 2022
Pages: 112 - 119
Editor: Naomi Cahill

History

Version of record online: 3 May 2022

Key Words

  1. Social Justice
  2. Intersectionality
  3. 2SLGBTQ+
  4. Reformations
  5. Inequities
  6. Queer
  7. Dietetic Profession

Mots-clés

  1. justice sociale
  2. intersectionnalité
  3. 2SLGBTQ+
  4. réforme
  5. inégalités
  6. queer
  7. profession de diététiste

Authors

Affiliations

Nicholas Hickens
Applied Nutrition Department, Mount Saint-Vincent University, 166 Bedford Highway, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, Canada
Duygu Gunaydin
Applied Nutrition Department, Mount Saint-Vincent University, 166 Bedford Highway, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, Canada
Drew Burchell MA
Biology Department, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
Phillip Joy PhD, RD
Applied Nutrition Department, Mount Saint-Vincent University, 166 Bedford Highway, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, Canada

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