Grant: Knowledge Synthesis Grant

Enormous scientific advances have been made in the area of nutrition, and several dietary approaches may now be recommended for maintaining an optimal health status and for effectively preventing and managing many diet-related diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity. Although research findings have clearly demonstrated the beneficial impact of dietary interventions on multiple disease risk factors, non-adherence to dietary recommendations represents an important barrier to truly observe the full benefit of nutritional scientific breakthrough in real life settings. Therefore, the objective of this research initiative is to produce a systematic review of the literature on the effects of interventions for enhancing adherence to dietary recommendations. Results from the review will be published online on the knowledge translation tool Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN) developed by the Dietitians of Canada, the national accrediting body for all baccalaureate and practicum training programs that credential dietitians to practice in Canada. This will directly inform dietitians on interventions that are most likely to help their clients adhere to dietary recommendations. It is to be expected that informing practice decision making through the identification of the characteristics of interventions that result in a better agreement between dietary recommendations of health professionals and their clients' eating patterns will consequently improve the health of the population.