Abstract

There has been a recent shift in the profession of physical therapy toward lifestyle health promotion and, in particular, nutrition integration. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) position states that physical therapists (PTs) should include nutrition in practice, and accreditation standards now mandate nutrition education for PTs. The profession is well-suited to promote behavior change, yet research is needed to support this transition. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to: (1) analyze current nutrition implementation by practicing PTs, (2) assess PTs’ intentions toward incorporating nutrition into their practice, and (3) examine facilitators toward integrating nutrition into physical therapy. This research was based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A survey constructed from preliminary interview research was distributed to graduates from an entry-level physical therapy program that did not yet offer nutrition instruction. Data were analyzed using correlation and regression analyses. Fifty-one practicing PTs completed the survey. 43.1 percent of participants had received external nutrition instruction. PTs with formal nutrition education found it significantly easier to incorporate nutrition into their practice (p<0.001). PTs’ intentions to integrate nutrition into their practice were best predicted by their attitudes and behavioral beliefs. Many areas in which nutrition could benefit patient outcomes were identified including: the management of obesity and chronic conditions, improved wellness and preventative care, and performance enhancement. This exploratory research demonstrated that education can equip PTs to incorporate nutrition into their practice, which may improve physical therapy outcomes. Both the addition of nutrition education into entry-level curricula as well as shifting attitudes toward incorporation of basic nutrition into physical therapy practice are crucial steps in placing the profession at the forefront of managing lifestyle diseases and promoting optimal health.