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Purpose: Dietary intakes and nutrition behaviours were examined among different diet quality groups of Canadian adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2850 Alberta and Ontario adolescents aged 14 to 17, who completed a self-administered web-based survey that examined nutrient intakes andmeal behaviours (meal frequency andmeal consumption away from home). Results:Meanmacronutrient intakes were within Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges; however,micronutrient intakes andmedian food group intakes were below recommendations based on Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating (CFGHE). Overall diet quality indicated that 43%, 47%, and 10%of students had poor, average, and superior diet quality, respectively. Adolescents with lower diet quality had significantly different intakes of macronutrients and CFGHE-defined “other foods.” In terms of diet quality determinants, those with poor diet quality had higher frequencies of suboptimalmeal behaviours. Students with poor diet quality consumed breakfast and lunch less frequently than did those with average and superior diet quality. Conclusions: Canadian adolescents have low intakes of CFGHE-recommended foods and high intakes of “other foods.” Those with poor diet quality had suboptimal macronutrient intakes and increased meal skipping and meal consumption away from home. Adherence to CFGHE may promote optimal dietary intakes and improve nutritional behaviours.

Several health disciplines have incorporated the arts into professional education programs; however, little work has been done in the field of dietetics. A pilot arts module was implemented as part of a graduate education program in community nutrition. The course instructor developed a structured, open-ended questionnaire, which was administered to participating students before the educational module. The same students completed a similar questionnaire at the end of the module. Responses were compared and analyzed thematically so that changes could be noted in perspectives on the arts and health upon module completion. Findings suggested that students' understanding of “art” and “science” changed during the module, that they recognized benefits of incorporating the arts into community nutrition practice, and that they could identify resources that would support their efforts to do so. The positive student responses to this pilot project support the further development of arts initiatives within dietetic education.

Purpose: Obesity in childhood has become a major public health concern because of increasing rates of overweight and obesity. To address this epidemic, effective dietetic interventions must be developed. We examined parent/caregiver and/or patient reasons for not returning for follow-up clinical care in the Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Area's Nutrition Services Pediatric Weight Management Program (NS PWMP) in Edmonton, Alberta. Methods: A qualitative telephone survey was developed to identify reasons for non-return to the NS PWMP. Face validity was evaluated by five pediatric registered dietitians (RDs). Results: The survey was administered to parents/caregivers of children or adolescents aged 2.5 to 14.2 years (n=21) who attended fewer than two appointments in the NS PWMP. The major reasons for non-return included physical barriers (scheduling, parking, location), organizational barriers (clinic environment), and program educational content (type of educational tools, the focus of lifestyle education on the individual rather than the family, physical activity interventions, and appropriateness of information for the parent or child). Conclusions: Development and delivery of effective dietetic interventions for children and adolescents at risk of overweight and obesity may be achieved by emphasizing skill building within the child and the family. Analysis of child and family feedback on clinical RD services is critical to optimization of care in a pediatric weight management program.