Date of Award:

5-2020

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences

Department name when degree awarded

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science

Committee Chair(s)

Heidi Wengreen

Committee

Heidi Wengreen

Committee

Martha Archuleta

Committee

Mateja Savoie Roskos

Committee

Carrie Durward

Committee

Maryellen McClain Verdoes

Abstract

All Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) undergo extensive training to develop the ability to improve dietary intake among individuals of all ages. Treating children (0-18 years of age) is often challenging and requires specialized training. One area that is particularly challenging is identifying children that may not be able to eat appropriately to sustain rapid growth and development. An online survey of RDNs that work specifically with children was conducted to better understand how RDNs are identifying and treating children with feeding problems. From the survey we learned that the methods and procedures used by RDNs for identifying and treating children with feeding problems are variable. A review of current literature identified many tools capable of identifying children at risk for feeding problems. One of these tools was chosen and tested in a population of children 0-3 years of age who were clients of an early intervention program. Use of this tool, the Montreal Children’s Hospital Feeding Scale, increased the number of children that were identified as having feeding dysfunction and who received nutrition services. Implementing feeding dysfunction screening into children’s health care settings would improve the quality of care a child receives and help to improve their overall nutrition status.

Checksum

fbbf96c5436ab93d66db4a3f7bd36f9d

Download

Share

COinS

Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .