Objective: To become familiar with current scientific literature on a variety of nutrition topics and to gain experience in gathering, organizing, critically evaluating, presenting and facilitating group discussion of the literature and the implications to practice.
When counseling adolescents about their diet what questions would you ask to explore the use of dietary supplements? Why do you think it is important to ask these questions?
posted by lcflier @ 5:50 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
I would try to ask lots of open ended non-leading questions to explore the use of dietary supplements. Like what are your thoughts on dietary supplements? I would also ask them if they are familiar with dietary supplements and give examples if they are not. Also asking them if they have seen them around the house, to find out if their parents or siblings use them. If they offer up that they do take them I would inquire about how often, and specifically what kinds. If they say they don't take them ask them if they ever have or plan to any time in the future. One thing to additionally consider is if they use protein supplements.
Mary Ellen,
You came up with a lot of good questions to ask. Why do you feel that these are importnat questions to ask?
I would find out what kind of supplements they use. I know some adolescents, especially boys, take supplements they believe will help them gain lean body mass, or bulk up, so I would definitely want to know exactly what supplements they are taking. Adolescent girls may be taking weight loss supplements, so I would try to find out that information as well. I would also how the supplement is benefiting them to get an idea of what they think they are getting from taking a supplement, so I would better know how to counsel them, and understand their motivation for taking a supplement.
Andrea said...
Maybe when doing a FFQ on a pt/ct I would also ask if any supplements were used. Also, if I was couseling someone I would just ask if they were taking a supplement. I think most people would be honest about supplement use. If I saw someone that was vague or closed off about supplement use I might suspect that they are abusing supplements or are ashamed or embarassed. I would reassure the pt that nothing goes beyond me.
Andrea said...
Mary Ellen,
I really liked your idea about asking about any supplements in the house or if parents or siblings use them. If so, that could definitely have an effect on the way the adolecent views and/or uses supplements. Excellent idea.
I would ask the adolescent about their opinion of their diet. Do they think they eat a balanced diet? Do they even want help in identifying areas for improvement? If they do take vitamins, do they do so because they don't think they eat healthfully and that a pill will solve nutritional inadequacies?
Many teenagers are savvy enough to know what they should be eating... it is more a matter of doing it and no one can force someone to do something they don't acknowledge or want help doing. If the teenager is not ready for change, they will undoubtedly rebel against force. It is also important to ask about their use of supplements in order to correct any misinformation and to encourage the "food first" notion.
Lisa, I think these are important questions to ask so that you know why they are taking supplements especially if they are taking supplements as a subsitute to eating a balanced diet. Also finding out about supplement use is important because you want to know if they could run the risk of nutrients competing for absorption especially if they take single vitamins or minerals.
It is definiately important to find out if a client is taking some type of supplment because it then gives you the whole picture of what they are doing in terms of nutrition. I think that the questions you ask will depend on the client. Some clients you maybe able to come right out and ask if they are on a supplement others you may be better off asking question like Mary Ellen suggested. It may also just depend on the RD's preference or comfort level with the client.
It is important to examine their current diet intake to help compare with their possible supplement intake. When discussing supplements, it is important to note the frequency of intake, the reason for usage, and their plan for continued or temporary intake. In addition, asking open ended questions to gain further understanding of their education of general supplement usage and their education regarding any specific supplements they are consuming or thinking of consuming.
Kalee,
Adolesence is a time when many teenagers are concerned with body image and may be taking supplements that are unhealthy for their body. I'm glad you brought this point up, this is something we should be aware of as dietitians.
Nisa,
I think it is a very good idea to find out why the client is taking supplements. Many adolescents may think that they can eat poorly as long as they are taking vitamins. Also, I think you are right that teenagers are pretty savvy and know what a healthy diet should consist of. But, I also think that they are very succeptible to many of the quick fix advertisments that are out there for things such as diet pills or weight gain supplements as kalee mentioned in her post.
Mary Ellen mentioned questions that are pretty close to what I would ask in a counseling session. I really would be interested in knowing if they are consuming suppliments because there parents or older siblings are. In addition, I would ask them out right why they are taking them. Some children may not have a "valid" reason while others may feel like they are giving them some sort of "gratification" as mentioned earlier. Plus it gives me an idea of how to direct them to eating foods. Furthermore, I would be concerned with over supplimentation. I have heard of low income families consuming suppliments to ensure adequate nutrients at what they think is a cheaper method. We don't want people to think that just because they are consuming suppliments that they can start eating less healthy.
Suzie - I had not heard of low income families turning to supplements as an option when funds are low. I typically had associated supplements with higher income populations, but am glad to have been enlightened on other options for usage.
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