2024 was a banner year for Academy Foundation-funded research! Research funded by the Academy Foundation in partnership with dietetic practice groups (DPGs) and other funding sources resulted in expanded practice guidelines and recommendations in a variety of areas of practice.
Published papers and guidelines included malnutrition, hypertension, food as medicine, the impact of vegetarian nutrition on diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the role of the RDN in obesity management, and research communications and dissemination. This research is supporting the role of the RDN, improving clinical practice, and benefiting patients and clients through better outcomes and potentially reduced health care costs.
Here are highlights of some of the impressive research led by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ research team and funded by the Academy Foundation that was published in 2024:
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Indicators (AAIM) helps RDNs accurately diagnose malnutrition to improve patient care and outcomes
- A new Systematic Review on MNT for Hypertension and Prehypertension shows benefits, resulting in a call for better payment and access to MNT services by RDNs
- Prevention and Treatment of Malnutrition in Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care or the Community: An Evidence-based Nutrition Practice Guideline provides RDNs with the tools needed to help protect susceptible older adults, improving outcomes and reducing potential complications related to malnutrition
- Research shows MNT provided as part of an RDN led Food as Medicine program in grocery retail settings improved a host of outcomes, including reduced excess calories eaten, lower overeating of carbohydrate foods, reduced systolic blood pressure, reduced waist circumference, and weight loss, plus better diet quality and quality of life
- The vegetarian nutrition evidence analysis library resources got an update this year to improve the assets available to practitioners when it comes to leveraging vegetarian diets, including vegan eating, to prevent and manage disease in adults
- Researchers found that vegetarian diets can benefit those managing type 2 diabetes, including reducing the need for diabetes medication and improved insulin sensitivity
- A robust umbrella review showed the benefit of vegetarian eating to lower the risk of heart disease, including lowering blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and body mass index; a vegan diet further showed reduced c-reactive protein levels
- Authors of the paper Incretin-based Therapies and Lifestyle Interventions: The Evolving Role of RDNs in Obesity made the case for the essential part RDNs play in caring for those with obesity, including when medications are part of the treatment plan
- RDNs play a critical role in nutrition research communication and dissemination according to a paper published in November, Communicating Nutrition and Dietetics Research: A Crucial Step to Advancing Evidence-Based Practice, including providing context and practical applications to make research accessible and useful
Additionally, the Academy Foundation funded 18 nutrition research projects through its competitive research grant program, resulting in $165,000 in funding in 2024 for topics such as outcomes research in diabetes medical nutrition therapy and nutrition epidemiology as well as grants specifically for emerging researchers and faculty members who engage nutrition and dietetics students in their research. Publications that came out of this program in 2024 include:
- Results of a pilot sequential multiple assignment randomized trial using counseling to augment a digital weight loss program, Caitlin Martinez, PhD, MS, RD, Academy Foundation 2023 Amy Joye Memorial Research Award
- “Now I can see it works!” Perspectives on Using a Nutrition-Focused Approach When Initiating Continuous Glucose Monitoring in People with Type 2 Diabetes: Qualitative Interview Study, Holly Willis, PhD, MS, RD, CDCES, Academy Foundation 2022 Diabetes DPG Karen Goldstein Memorial Grant for Diabetes Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Responsive Feeding Practices to Promote Healthy Diets: A Mixed Method Study among Low-Income Caregivers with Toddlers, Kate Killion, MPH, RD, Academy Foundation 2023 Colgate Palmolive Fellowship in Nutrition, Oral Health/Dental Education
Researchers interested in applying for a grant for 2025 can apply by February 24, 2025.
The Academy Foundation is proud to support the future of nutrition and dietetics, including playing a fundamental role in sourcing and providing the funding for research. Ensuring that research on the role and contributions of the RDN in improving outcomes, reducing health care costs, and expanding access are some of the goals of Academy Foundation-funded research. You can support our work by sharing this research with colleagues, both RDNs and otherwise, and by making a financial contribution on our fundraising page.
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