An Assessment of Dietetics and Nutrition Graduate Program Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding the Subject of Microplastics

Abstract

Microplastics exist in every aspect of our lives, from the ground and ocean to food and clothing. It is becoming more and more evident that microplastics can have negative effects on the environment, human health and food safety. This study examined Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited graduate program (GP) students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards microplastics. An electronic survey was sent to ACEND GP program directors (n = 56) to forward to their GP students. Among the 30 students who completed the full survey, 83.3% had previously heard of microplastics. Although almost all participants had heard of microplastics, the impact of this awareness was not consistently reflected in their responses. The majority of participants strongly agreed that microplastics have a negative impact on human health (n = 16, 53.3%). In terms of microplastics and concern about the effect on their own personal health, the majority of students either strongly agreed (n = 6, 20.0%) or agreed (n = 14, 46.7%) that it was a concern. All participants who completed the knowledge section of the survey (n = 25) selected that people ingest microplastics without knowing. However, not all students selected that microplastics can be found in frequently consumed items or in the human body. Most participants selected yes (n = 22, 88.0%) when asked if microplastics could be inhaled unknowingly, but only 60% (n = 15) answered that microplastics were present in the atmosphere. Furthermore, 100% (n = 25) of students who had previously heard of microplastics indicated that they were found in aquatic life, but 53.3% (n = 16) said that they consumed fish weekly, illustrating a disconnect. There is a need to raise awareness of microplastics and settle discrepant results. Further research needs to explore the understanding and behaviors of GP students’ involvement in sustainable food systems, including the topic of microplastics particularly, within entry-level RDN education.