Academic Journal
Προβολή σε EDS

Developing Systems Thinking Competencies in Emerging Nutrition Professionals: A Case Study Across Academic, Community, and Industry Contexts.

Λεπτομέρειες βιβλιογραφικής εγγραφής
Τίτλος: Developing Systems Thinking Competencies in Emerging Nutrition Professionals: A Case Study Across Academic, Community, and Industry Contexts.
Συγγραφείς: Ringling KM; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA., Jansma M; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA., Cibuzar K; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA., Liffrig T; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA., Hermann M; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA., Marquart LF; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
Πηγή: Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association [J Hum Nutr Diet] 2026 Aug; Vol. 39 (4), pp. e70313.
Τύπος έκδοσης: Journal Article
Γλώσσα: English
Στοιχεία περιοδικού: Publisher: Wiley on behalf of The British Dietetic Association Ltd., [c1988- Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 8904840 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1365-277X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09523871 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Hum Nutr Diet Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: [Oxford] : Wiley on behalf of The British Dietetic Association Ltd., [c1988-
Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): Problem-Based Learning*/methods , Dietetics*/education , Nutritionists*/education , Nutritional Sciences*/education , Professional Competence*, Humans ; Academia ; Leadership ; Universities ; Models, Educational ; Curriculum ; Thinking ; Mentors
Περίληψη: Introduction: Preparing nutrition and dietetics professionals for the complexity of modern food, health, and environmental systems requires educational models that move beyond reductionist training. Systems thinking and transformational learning offer frameworks that support integrative, adaptive, and equity-oriented professional development. This case study describes a systems-based experiential learning pathway designed to cultivate systems literacy, leadership, and cross-sector collaboration among nutrition students.
Methods: A multi-year experiential learning model was implemented within the University of [Minnesota]'s Department of [Food Science & Nutrition]. This case study design included nine sequential activities were co-designed by a student and faculty mentor using systems thinking and transformational learning principles. Activities engaged the student across community, non-profit, regulatory, agricultural, industry, teaching, and leadership contexts. Mentorship meetings, reflective journaling, and iterative feedback loops were used to assess competency development related to systems thinking, ethical decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and adaptive problem-solving.
Results: Experiential learning produced outcomes at personal, institutional, and systems levels. Personally, the student developed transdisciplinary collaboration skills, systems thinking competency, reflective practice, and adaptive leadership capacity. Institutionally, the case contributed to new systems-oriented curricular components, student-led organizations, and expanded mentoring structures that embedded systems thinking into departmental culture. At the systems level, partnerships across industry, government, and non-profit organizations strengthened knowledge exchange and demonstrated how systems-trained students can facilitate cross-sector alignment, support community-engaged problem-solving, and contribute to food system innovation.
Conclusion: This systems-based experiential learning model demonstrates how intentional mentorship, reflective practice, and cross-sector engagement can cultivate the competencies required for nutrition and dietetics professionals to navigate 21st-century food system challenges. Embedding systems thinking into both curricular and co-curricular structures fosters a workforce capable of leading collaborative, evidence-informed, and equity-focused change. The case provides a replicable model for integrating systems thinking into nutrition education to prepare graduates to engage effectively within complex, interconnected food, health, and environmental systems.
(© 2026 British Dietetic Association.)
References: E. E. Bergquist, L. Buckingham‐Schutt, C. G. Campbell, et al., “Systems Thinking and Sustainable Food Systems in Dietetics Education: A Survey of Directors,” Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 125, no. 1 (2025): 42–53, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2024.06.233.
E. E. Bergquist and A. M. Tagtow, “Strategies for Systems Thinking and Sustainable Food Systems Integration in Dietetics Education,” Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 125, no. 9 (2025): 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2025.08.006.
E. E. Bergquist, “Transforming Nutrition and Dietetics Education Through Systems Thinking: An Investigation Into Educator Practices and Perspectives” (PhD diss., Iowa State University, 2024).
D. Meadows, Thinking in Systems: A Primer (Earthscan, 2009).
R. D. Arnold and J. P. Wade, “A Definition of Systems Thinking: A Systems Approach,” Procedia Computer Science 44 (2015): 669–678, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2015.03.050.
M. L. Spiker, A. Knoblock‐Hahn, K. Brown, et al., “Cultivating Sustainable, Resilient, and Healthy Food and Water Systems: A Nutrition‐Focused Framework for Action,” Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 120, no. 6 (2020): 1057–1067, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2020.02.018.
A. M. Stalter, J. M. Phillips, J. S. Ruggiero, et al., “A Concept Analysis of Systems Thinking,” Nursing Forum 52 (2017): 323–330, https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12196.
E. Bergquist, L. Buckingham‐Schutt, S. Smalley, C. G. Campbell, A. Dollisso, and S. Qu, “Integrating Systems Thinking in Nutrition and Dietetics Education,” Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 38 (2025): e70036, https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.70036.
W. Valley, H. Wittman, N. Jordan, S. Ahmed, and R. Galt, “An Emerging Signature Pedagogy for Sustainable Food Systems Education,” Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 33, no. 5 (2018): 467–480, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000199.
M. Spiker, A. Hege, J. Giddens, et al., “Leveraging Online Learning to Promote Systems Thinking for Sustainable Food Systems Training in Dietetics Education,” Frontiers in Nutrition 8 (2021): 623336, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.623336.
E. E. Bergquist, L. Buckingham‐Schutt, S. Smalley, C. G. Campbell, A. Dollisso, and S. Qu, “Nutrition and Dietetics Educators' Experiences Using Systems Thinking in Teaching,” Journal of Dietetic Education 2, no. 2 (2024): 47–62, https://doi.org/10.26890/vykl2341.
E. W. Taylor and P. Cranton, The Handbook of Transformative Learning: Theory, Research, and Practice (Jossey‐Bass, 2012).
A. Tagtow, D. Herman, and L. Cunningham‐Sabo, “Next‐Generation Solutions to Address Adaptive Challenges in Dietetics Practice: The I+PSE Conceptual Framework for Action,” Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 122, no. 1 (2022): 15–24, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2021.01.018.
J. Mezirow and E. W. Taylor, eds., Transformative Learning in Practice: Insights From Community, Workplace, and Higher Education [Internet] (Jossey‐Bass, 2009).
D. A. Kolb, Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development (Prentice‐Hall, 1984), 30.
J. Buss, “Why Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Attract Great Students,” Merrill Series on the Research Mission of Public Universities, MASC Report No. 107 (University of Kansas, 2003): 37–40, https://doi.org/10.17161/merrill.2003.8032.
J. C. Fanzo, M. M. Graziose, K. Kraemer, et al., “Educating and Training a Workforce for Nutrition in a Post‐2015 World,” Advances in Nutrition 6, no. 6 (November 2015): 639–647, https://doi.org/10.3945/an.115.010041.
R. Shrimpton, L. M. du Plessis, H. Delisle, et al., “Public Health Nutrition Capacity: Assuring the Quality of Workforce Preparation for Scaling Up Nutrition Programmes,” Public Health Nutrition 19 (2016): 2090–2100, https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898001500378X.
Food and Agriculture Organization Committee on World Food Security, High‐Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition. Nutrition and Food Systems. [Internet]. 2017 [Cited March 31, 2026]. Report No.: 12, https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/hlpe/hlpe_documents/HLPE_Reports/HLPE-Report-12_EN.pdf.
Institute of Medicine, National Research Council, A Framework for Assessing Effects of the Food System. [Internet] (National Academies Press, 2015), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305181/.
W. C. Symonds, R. B. Schwartz, and R. Ferguson, Pathways to Prosperity: Meeting the Challenge of Preparing Young Americans for the 21st Century. [Internet]. (Harvard University Graduate School of Education, 2011), https://dash.harvard.edu/entities/publication/73120378-9570-6bd4-e053-0100007fdf3b.
FSCN, University of [Minnesota] Department of [Food Science & Nutrition] Strategic Plan, Innovating Together to Improve Health Through Food (University of [Minnesota], 2018).
E. Broad Leib, E. Clippinger, and L. Beyranevand, Blueprint for a National Food Strategy. [Internet] (Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic, 2017), https://cafs.vermontlaw.edu/wp-content/uploads/blueprint-for-a-national-food-strategy-2017.pdf.
A. Hege, J. Giddens, E. Bergquist, et al., “Integration of a Sustainable Food Systems Curriculum in Nutrition and Dietetics Education: Assessment From the First Year of Implementation,” Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 121, no. 12 (December 2021): 2536–2548, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2021.02.001.
R. A. Neff, A. M. Palmer, S. E. McKenzie, and R. S. Lawrence, “Food Systems and Public Health Disparities,” Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition 4, no. 3–4 (2009): 282–314, https://doi.org/10.1080/19320240903337041.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, Sustainable Food Systems: Dietetics Program Directory [Internet] (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, 2026), https://www.eatrightfoundation.org/foundation/resources/future-of-food/sfs/dietetics-program-directory.
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: experiential learning; food systems; nutrition education; systems thinking; transformational learning; workforce development
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260724 Date Completed: 20260724 Latest Revision: 20260726
Update Code: 20260726
PubMed Central ID: PMC13397042
DOI: 10.1111/jhn.70313
PMID: 42494326
Βάση Δεδομένων: MEDLINE
Περιγραφή
ISSN:1365-277X
DOI:10.1111/jhn.70313