Health professional' values associated with support for food assistance and nutrition education programs

This study investigated the personal characteristics and values associated with support for food assistance and nutrition education programs in three groups of health professionals. Nearly 1500 dietitians and members of the public health and rural health associations responded to a mail survey. The membership lists were screened to eliminate duplicate mailings. Support for food assistance was positively associated with high values for food assistance, equity (support for opportunities for the poor, minorities, and women), and younger age respondents. Support for educational programs was most strongly associated with the values of equity, support for the environment and family, and being a nutritionist.