What Shapes Dietitians' Attitudes Toward Transgender and Gender-Diverse People?

What is it about?

This study looked at what personal factors influence how dietitians and dietetics students feel about transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. Transgender and gender nonconforming people often face stigma, including in healthcare settings, which can lead to worse health outcomes. Since dietitians play an important role in supporting health and nutrition, understanding their attitudes is key to providing inclusive care. The researchers surveyed 128 participants in Italy, including both registered dietitians and students studying to become dietitians. They measured things like personality traits, attitudes toward body weight, and eating behaviors, especially how much individuals trust their body’s hunger and fullness cues (a concept known as “intuitive eating”). They found that people who were more open-minded, who held fewer negative views about people with larger bodies, and who were more in tune with their body’s hunger and fullness signals were also more likely to have positive attitudes toward transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. Interestingly, there was no difference in attitudes between students and experienced dietitians. The study suggests that including more inclusive and body-positive content in dietetics education could help reduce stigma. This could improve care for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals and promote a healthcare environment where everyone feels respected and supported.

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Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash

Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is important because it addresses a critical yet often overlooked issue: the stigma transgender and gender nonconforming individuals face in nutritional care settings. While transgender and gender nonconforming people are known to experience discrimination across many areas of healthcare, dietetics has received comparatively little attention—despite the fact that nutrition is central to gender-affirming care, body image, and overall well-being. By linking open-mindedness, acceptance for individuals with larger bodies, and intuitive eating practices with reduced stigma towards transgender and gender nonconforming individuals, the study offers a novel perspective grounded in psychology and health behavior. This is especially relevant as the field of dietetics begins to shift away from weight-centric models and toward more inclusive, patient-centered care. The findings could have a real impact. If educational programs integrate these insights—by promoting weight-neutral approaches and cultural humility—they could prepare dietitians to provide more affirming care. In turn, this may improve the healthcare experiences and nutritional outcomes of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals individuals, who are at higher risk of eating disorders, food insecurity, and poor physical and mental health. Enhancing inclusivity in dietetics is not only ethically essential—it’s clinically necessary.

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