“Because I don’t come from the culture:” Examining dietitian’s experience promoting healthy dietary behaviors among Hispanic Caribbean clients in New York City

Dietitians are key in addressing existing diet-related health inequities, yet, research is lacking concerning how dietitians’ experiences working within culturally diverse communities. Addressing this gap, we interviewed fifteen dietitians with Hispanic Caribbean (HC) communities New York City, an understudied community high incidence of conditions, to assess the best practices and experienced barriers when these The identified included building rapport, incorporating cultural values, food access. However, interviews revealed important that prevented successful implementation practices. These personal factors (language, culture knowledge, preferences), lack culturally-relevant resources, challenges engaging clients participatory decision making, institution-related constraints (time scarcity funding). findings underscore need for improved training be better equipped work different economic backgrounds from their own, more resources funding address underlying causes disparities minority populations, increased diversity profession. Furthermore, our focus on expands promoting competence profession, presenting large segment United States.