Bridging the gap in paediatric nutrition: Dietetic practice research to improve knowledge translation

The dietetic profession has risen to, and truly embraced, the call for evidence‐based dietetic practice. Dietitians are demonstrating leadership in the development, critique, dissemination and application of research to guide practice at unprecedented levels. In Australia, the number of dietitians with higher research degrees continues to rise, as does the success of dietitians in competitive research fellowship schemes (personal communication, 2017). The dietetic leadership in the review of the 2013 dietary guidelines1-3 and the establishment of the nutrition care process4, 5 illustrates the profession's commitment to quality, safe and effective practice. Dietetic practice standards, research training, evidence generation, systematic reviews and guideline development have been important strategies to facilitate evidence‐based dietetic practice. However, the adoption of dietetic research into practice, particularly when needing to facilitate behaviour change of organisations or key stakeholders to improve nutrition and health outcomes, remains a challenge.