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Basfi-Fer, K., Molina, P., Barrera, C., Cabezas, R., & Cáceres, P. (2025). Contribución del nutricionista dietista a la sustentabilidad alimentaria: Orientaciones para su incorporación en la formación [Contribution of the dietitian nutritionist to food sustainability: Guidelines for its incorporation in the formation]. Revista Chilena de Nutrición, 52(1), 83–90. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0717-75182025000100083
Abstract
Introduction: Nutritionists play a key role in promoting sustainable diets and food systems. Their professional work is closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because of the impact that food styles and systems have on the environment, and vice versa.
Methods and materials: The objective of this report is to analyze the link between sustainability, objectified through the SDGs, and the professional activity of the nutritionist in the promotion, adoption, and evaluation of sustainable diets and food systems. In addition, it is also aimed to establish the need to reorient their education to achieve this link.
The literature shows that, although there are official guidelines that support the relationship between the profession and sustainability, there is heterogeneous progress in this regard in different countries. It is therefore proposed that, in order for the professional performance to include the area of sustainability, an education that makes visible, links, and integrates the SDGs to the technical and generic competencies of their profile is required.
In Chile, by 2023, aspects of sustainability appeared only in six graduate profiles of the 36 institutions that offer the program, and their level of curricular development is unknown. Taking as an example the curriculum of the Nutrition and Dietetics program at the University of Chile, the relationship between professional competences and the goals of the SDGs is shown.
Conclusions: it is imperative to reorient the nutritionist’s formation towards sustainability, considering the current environmental crisis, and the relationship of the profession with sustainability.
Transparency | Diversity | Dynamism | Evidence-based |