A Blind Man Leads a Blind Man? Personalised Nutrition-Related Attitudes, Knowledge and Behaviours of Fitness Trainers in Hungary

Abstract

It is well-documented that fitness trainers could play an important role in the nutrition-related behaviour of their clients based on their personalised nutrition-related counselling activities, but there are considerable concerns all over the world about the level of their knowledge to become nutritional coaches. In the framework of the current study based on qualitative (focus-group interviews) and quantitative (questionnaire and analysis of responses by multivariable methods, as well as structural equation modelling) methods, it has been proven that (1) theoretically, both the trainers and the dietitians acknowledge the importance of cooperation in the optimisation of coaching efficiency and advisory work due to some "professional jealousness" and differences in professional background, as well as in culture, so it is hard to find a common platform for cooperation, especially in market segments characterised by relative low levels of purchasing power; (2) due to lack of regulation, there is a high heterogeneity of professional competences of trainers in general and their nutritional competences, in particular; (3) the majority of trainers do not have an objective picture on his/her effective nutritional knowledge, and they often offer a much wider scope of services (e.g., nutritional counselling for clients with chronic diseases) which are well beyond their professional knowledge and (4) the dietary guidelines have not become an integral part of professional knowledge, even at the level of specialists. To improve the current-in some cases, dangerous-situation, the following steps should be taken: (1) enhancement of the level of professional qualification of future trainers, integrating the practice-oriented approaches and emphasising the role of teamwork by simulation-based practices; (2) highlighting in a clear way the professional and ethical boundaries of the activities of trainers and (3) working out an efficient incentive system for the continuous professional development of trainers.

Is the Sustainable Choice a Healthy Choice?—Water Footprint Consequence of Changing Dietary Patterns

“…As was the aim of this study, it gives supporting evidence for the future on how to create dietary guidelines for the Hungarian population, which include sustainability. Our results could support nutrition-related education and personalized nutrition, which is extremely important in providing nutrition care [59]. The detailed analysis of the water footprint showed that adaptation to the planetary healthy diet could be the most advantageous among the analyzed scenarios since it has the best synergistically characteristic features regarding both health and sustainability.…”

Deteriorated Dietary Patterns with Regards to Health and Environmental Sustainability among Hungarian Roma Are Not Differentiated from Those of the General Population

“…Currently, nutrition services are not widely supported by the Hungarian national health budget and are typically not delivered by qualified nutrition professionals, since other professions (e.g., personal trainers, self-proclaimed dietitians, etc.) are currently attempting to fill the demand gap [63]. The latter phenomenon has been recognized and there is data showing that such guidance is inadequate and not in line with established guidelines [63,64].…”

“…are currently attempting to fill the demand gap [63]. The latter phenomenon has been recognized and there is data showing that such guidance is inadequate and not in line with established guidelines [63,64]. Consequently, despite efforts to improve nutrition [65], Hungarians appear to have a limited exposure to professional and evidence-informed dietary and nutritional preventive services, something which may contribute to our "no difference" findings with regards to nutrient-based dietary patterns.…”

Paucity of Nutrition Guidelines and Nutrient Quality of Meals Served to Kenyan Boarding High School Students

“…Fruits are known to be an expensive source of energy and therefore this could be the reason for the high intake in private schools. Review studies on the determinants of fruit and vegetables consumption among adolescents consistently show that high income levels largely influence fruit intake, often because of affordability [20][21][22].…”