Best Practices for Dietitians Working With Diverse Populations ��������������

Best Practices for Dietitians Working With Diverse Populations

KIMBERLEY ROSE-FRANCIS

RDN, LD, CDCES

NE HUB MANAGER

JULIE LANFORD

MS, RD, CSO, LDN

We get it! Speaking about diversity and promoting equity and inclusion are hard, especially if you're a White dietitian who's uncertain about where to start for fear of offending someone� However uncomfortable, we must have these conversations because diversity, equity and inclusion uplift the profession� They also make us better practitioners for the clients we serve and make the world a better place for all�

Here are a few of Julie and Kim’s “best practices” for working with diverse populations:

RECOGNIZE YOUR "HOME CULTURE."

First of all, be self-aware as to what culture(s) you self-identify and are most comfortable in� Understanding your own culture helps you be aware of the similarities and differences between cultures� Your “home culture” may be influenced by your ethnicity, race, heritage, country of origin, area of the country or other factors�

BE CURIOUS.

Becoming more aware of the similarities and differences between cultures can be fun and informative� Be curious with your clients as you explore what their cultural food norms are and how their practices contribute to nutrition intake� While it’s important to be aware of differences among racial and ethnic groups, avoid making assumptions based on that� Instead, just ask good questions� Ask open-ended questions such as “tell me about how you make that,” or “what do you eat on a typical day,” or “how do you feel after you eat your typical breakfast?”�

CELEBRATE DIFFERENCES.

We’re all familiar with differing food preferences� Some are cultural, but many are cross-cultural and are simply personal preferences� For the most part, one preference isn’t necessarily better than another� Find ways to celebrate different nutrition preferences and avoid any broad-stroke statements labeling a food or recipe as unhealthy�

FIND THE RIGHT PERSON/ PEOPLE TO BRING THE MESSAGE TO YOUR AUDIENCE.

We know this is easier said than done� When planning programs or working in the community, the best practices involve peer educators or healthcare providers who match the culture of your intended audience� For White dietitians who are working with programs that intend to reach minority audiences, we must recognize when we don’t fit that need� Surrounding yourself with advisors and seeking to employ or partner with individuals who do meet that need are essential�

Being able to speak another language, or looking like someone from your intended audience, is helpful, but is not equal to having an “insider” perspective� Be honest about what audience you are trying to impact and whom you need on your team to help communicate with your audience and earn trust�

For example, Julie has had to recognize that although she is White, she was

not raised in the South and was not educated or aware regarding rural food practices in North Carolina� In addition, she coordinates programs to reduce cancer risk among minorities in her community and utilizes community health workers to teach the classes� Kim, although she presents as Black and was born in Jamaica, has learned more about African American food practices in Florida since starting her career�

Both of us have benefited from drawing on the expertise of coworkers, community partners and other providers who can help plan and implement programming in the most culturally sensitive way possible�

MENTORING FOR A DIVERSE FUTURE.

In order for our profession as a whole to be better equipped to promote the health of a diverse population, we need to reflect that diversity - diversity from the standpoint of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, ability and size� This leads us to the conclusion that many dietitians have been talking about for years: We need to continue the work to diversify our profession! Because let’s be honest; our dietitian circles are often predominantly White women�

BUT HOW?

There are many people doing the work of diversity and inclusion in dietetics� We encourage you to join with their work and do your one or two small things to make a difference�

1 Get involved: Become a mentor to an “RD-to-be'' of color. Working with the next generation of nutrition experts gives new perspectives through diverse mentor/mentee relationships� As a young Black novice during her internship, Kim had a White dietitian mentor who gladly offered her time, expertise and encouragement� She appreciated her varied, yet practical, view of dietetics as it proved priceless to her and her career� Diversify

Dietetics and most dietetic practice groups (DPGs) have mentorship programs� Truth be told, we're all priceless resources for the next nutrition professional because we all have unique experiences and valuable points of view� For more information about Diversify Dietetics, visit its website: diversifydietetics�org/mentor-program

2 Join a member interest group (MIG).

Fun fact: MIGs are available to engage participants from a variety of cultures, races and/or ethnicities�

Current MIGs offered to Academy members include Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), Indians in Nutrition and Dietetics (IND),

Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition (LAHIDAN), and

National Organization of Blacks in

Dietetics and Nutrition (NOBIDAN)�

Interested in joining? Visit this website: eatrightpro�org/ membership/academy-groups/ member-interest-groups

A suggestion for people who want to join an MIG but don’t identify with the particular group represented� Be sure you are joining for the purpose of listening and understanding different perspectives and experiences� Spend time with the suggested reading list before asking group members to educate you�

3 Support Diversity Initiatives.

Using your money, voice and time to intentionally support diversity initiatives will make sure that groups and initiatives focused on diversity are long-lasting and held accountable to help grow our field�

Developing a diverse profession takes time and dedication� Honest communication and mentorship are key� Don't be afraid to get involved and start the conversation�

MORE RESOURCES

y AND Diversity and Inclusion

Committee: eatrightpro�org/ leadership/governance/committees/ diversity-and-inclusion-committee y BADD (Boston Alliance for Diversity in Dietetics): sites�bu�edu/badd/

Kim Rose is a Black Floridian who was raised by Jamaican immigrants� Since working as a dietitian, she has learned that you can’t generalize about people’s food preferences based on their race or ethnicity �

Julie Lanford is a White North Carolinian who was raised in California by parents from the Midwest and Pacific Northwest� She has learned that Southerners love greens and beans and gardenfresh veggies� They know how to cook them and love to eat them