Key Points:
- U.S. medical students get only 1.2 hours of nutrition training yearly.
- HHS proposes mandatory nutrition education in all medical programs.
- Medical groups support reforms to combat chronic diseases.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has urged medical schools and residency programs to implement comprehensive Nutrition Education in Medical Schools, citing rising chronic disease rates linked to diet.
Nutrition Training Gaps in Medical Education
According to HHS, diet-related chronic diseases contribute to an estimated one million deaths annually in the United States, despite the nation spending more than $4.4 trillion each year on chronic disease and mental health care. Yet, the majority of physicians graduate with little to no training in nutrition counseling, a gap the agency says undermines patient care.
A 2022 survey published in the Journal of Wellness found that U.S. medical students receive, on average, only 1.2 hours of formal Nutrition Education in Medical schools per year. For students specializing in nutrition-focused degrees, the figure was just 2.9 hours annually. Three-quarters of medical schools reported no required clinical nutrition classes, and only 14% of residency programs had a mandatory nutrition curriculum.
Experts argue this lack of training leaves physicians ill-prepared to guide patients on how diet can prevent, manage, and even reverse chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.
HHS Proposal for Comprehensive Reform
HHS has outlined six areas where Nutrition Education in Medical Schools should be added:
- Pre-medical standards
- Medical school curricula
- Licensing exams
- Residency programs
- Board certifications
- Continuing medical education
Medical education organizations were asked to submit written plans by September 10 detailing timelines, measurable milestones, and accountability standards for integrating nutrition into training.
Supporters of the initiative emphasize that embedding nutrition throughout medical education is not about creating dietitians, but about equipping physicians with evidence-based tools to help patients make sustainable lifestyle changes.
Responses From Medical Education and Professional Groups
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), representing U.S. and Canadian schools, defended current efforts, noting that all 182 schools surveyed in August 2024 reported including nutrition content in some form across their required curricula. This is an increase from 89% in 2020. Additionally, 82% of schools offered nutrition electives.
However, the AAMC survey also showed gaps: only 45% of schools included nutrition in multiple courses or clinical rotations, and just 17% integrated nutrition consistently across all years of training. Authors of the report highlighted the need for broader coverage of topics such as food access, food labeling, and community health resources.
Other organizations voiced strong support for the HHS call. The American Medical Association (AMA) said expanded nutrition training would strengthen physicians’ ability to prevent and manage chronic disease. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine emphasized that instruction should prioritize evidence-based approaches, including plant-based diets, to improve outcomes for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Moving Toward Educational Integration
Medical educators acknowledge challenges to implementation, including packed curricula, limited faculty expertise, and misconceptions about accreditation requirements. Yet, they note that existing resources and collaborations could help schools expand Nutrition Education in Medical Training without starting from scratch.
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine has urged schools to view nutrition as part of a broader strategy to teach physicians preventive care. Similarly, the American Academy of Family Physicians has issued guidelines stating that residents should graduate with skills to conduct nutritional assessments, interpret relevant lab tests, and provide culturally sensitive dietary counseling.
While most medical schools now include at least some nutrition content, experts say the next step is ensuring Nutrition Education in Medical schools becomes a fully integrated, longitudinal theme across training programs. Advocates argue that empowering future physicians with stronger nutrition knowledge is an essential step toward reducing chronic disease rates and improving population health.