P100 Exploring the Concept of Sustainability in Nutrition and Dietetics: Student, Academic and Practitioner Perspectives

Background Nutrition and dietetic (ND how do you perceive sustainability? Practitioners answered questions from an interview protocol developed to enable exploration of sustainability both conceptually and in practice. Each data set was analysed for theme by 2 independent researchers. Findings across participant groups were then analysed for overarching themes. Results Across groups, sustainability was perceived as a broad, future-focused concept, multi-factorial (environment, culture, social, economic), and relating to dietary recommendations and practices. Themes from student responses were sustainable food systems and system influencers. Academic and practitioner themes diverged to include sustaining the profession, sustaining the effects of our work, and stewardship of resources. Sustainability was characterised as conflicted, action-oriented, context-dependent, and inter-disciplinary. Conclusions Student, academic, and practitioner perceptions may be useful in forming a working definition to clarify sustainability in the N&D context for curriculum development.