Knowledge about lactose intolerance among nutritionists<br><b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

AIMS: To evaluate the knowledge of nutritionists about lactose intolerance and its nutritional management. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted, with a sample of nutritionists who work in the clinical area in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Data collection occurred by completing a self-administered questionnaire consisting of open and closed questions about lactose intolerance and its nutritional treatment. RESULTS: A total of 30 nutritionists working in hospitals or clinics were interviewed, the vast majority (29) female. The age ranged between 25 and 58 years (median 37 years) and the minimum graduation time was 7 years. Only a third of respondents correctly conceptualized lactose intolerance as gastrointestinal symptoms resulting from lactose malabsorption. In case of lactose intolerance in an infant, 56.5% of respondents would recommend maintaining breastfeeding and remove cow's milk proteins from the mother's diet. Less than half of professionals (46.6%) knew the recommended dose of calcium for adults aged 19 to 50 years. Thirteen respondents (43.3%) reported often meet patients with lactose intolerance. There was no association between better knowledge about the management of lactose intolerance and the frequency with which the professionals used assist patients with this disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Most nutritionists of this sample were not sufficiently prepared to treat individuals with lactose intolerance; they had no adequate knowledge about this condition and its nutritional management.