Facilitating change in client behavior is a key challenge for registered dietitian
nutritionists (RDNs). RDN frustration occurs when clients do not adhere to the behavior
change plans developed during consultations.
1
The client may return for future appointments having made minimal or no lifestyle
changes, or showing a decline in diet and physical activity behaviors. Despite many
clients having the knowledge, skills, and need to make nutritious dietary choices
and to participate in regular physical activity, many still struggle to maintain behavior
change in the long term.
2
Clients may be ambivalent when it comes to the need to make behavior changes.
3
Ambivalence is a state of mixed feelings resulting in an inability to choose between
two courses of action.
3
When confronted with feelings of ambivalence in clients, an RDN may take the role
of arguing for change, hoping to convince a client of the benefits of changing behavior.
In response, a client may feel judged and criticized, and may rationalize his or her
current behavior by providing arguments to maintain the status quo, stop engaging
with the RDN, or may silently resolve not to change.
4
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 06, 2014
Footnotes
This article was written by Jenna L. Hollis, APD
, a doctoral degree candidate, Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, and the Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia; Lauren T. Williams, PhD, AdvAPD, a professor and head, Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia, and an adjunct professor of nutrition and dietetics, Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Faculty of Health, The University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; Clare E. Collins, PhD, AdvAPD, FDAA, a professor, Nutrition and Dietetics, a National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship research fellow, and codirector, Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia; and Philip J. Morgan, PhD, a professor and codirector, Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
FUNDING/SUPPORT J. L. Hollis is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship and a Barker Top-up Scholarship from the Barker Family, The University of Newcastle, and University Foundation Services. C. E. Collins is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship. No funding parties were involved in the preparation of the manuscript.
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