"It Literally Can Save Lives": How Challenging Structural Inequities in Sexual Orientation and Gender Priorities Can Create Change in the Canadian Dietetic Profession

Not Just Checklists and Rainbows: Exploring Canadian Dietitians' Beliefs, Values, and Knowledge of Transgender Nutritional Care

Purpose

Many transgender (short form: trans) people are experiencing disparities within Canadian health care systems, including nutritional and dietetic health care systems. This research explores the views, beliefs, and experiences of Canadian dietitians about trans nutritional care and seeks to understand how dietitians can better address the nutritional needs of trans individuals.

Methods

Semistructured online interviews were conducted with 16 Canadian dietitians. Interviews were transcribed and the data were analyzed thematically.

Results

Three main themes were created; (1) There's an Unjust System, (2) We've Come a Long Way, and (3) Not Just Checklists and Rainbows. The participants explored the historic nature of the Canadian dietetic profession and noted the connection between cis-normativity and the erasure of trans identities. They also explored how dietitians could better address the health needs of trans people, including moving beyond the acknowledgement of trans identities to changing the way gender is viewed in the profession.

Conclusion

The dietetic profession must move beyond surface-level activities and rethink gender. Recommendations include adding trans-focused care training into the profession, creating safer spaces for trans individuals, advocacy and allyship, and recruiting trans people to the profession.