Student Member Price: $10.00

Culture is often used as all-encompassing term, but its roots are complex. Culture is molded by ethnicity, heritage, geographic location, socioeconomic status, social and familial connections, language, health risk factors, and so much more. Our bodies are often also a reflection of our culture. In some cultures, thinness is revered, while in others, curvy physiques for women and larger girth for men is revered.

To what extent does culture influence body image and, consequently, biases based on those images? For the nutrition professional, this information can impact approaches to care. By identifying and correcting biases, RDNs can set reasonable expectations and enhance patient/client outcomes. This session aims to find ways RDNs can bridge some of these cultural gaps to find success for both practitioner and patient.

Planned with the Committee for Lifelong Learning

CPE Level: Level 2 (intermediate knowledge/experience)
CPEU: 1.0

Performance Indicators

• 10.2.12 Gathers information that affects intake and nutrition and health status (e.g., cultural, ethnic, religious, lifestyle influencers, psychosocial, and social determinants of health).
• 1.7.1 Recognizes and respects cultural and racial diverse backgrounds to effectively interact and build meaningful relationships with others (e.g., clients, employees, inter- and intra-professional team members and community and professional groups).
• 9.6.1 Assesses client/patient nutritional needs and appropriateness of the counseling.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the limitations of healthcare assessment and treatment responses to evidence- based modalities when those responses lack cultural consideration.
• Discern how body image varies by culture and the impact of those variations on health and health interventions.
• Demonstrate approaches to interventions, programs and messaging that reflect heightened cultural awareness.

Speakers

• Fatima Cody Stanford
• Delores C. James