According to Gram Research analysis, a 2026 survey of 114 U.S. registered dietitians found that only about 27% correctly understood how to interpret research statistics used to evaluate diets and health outcomes. The study revealed that dietitians struggled equally with both absolute numbers (actual percentages of people affected) and relative comparisons (percentage differences between groups), suggesting widespread gaps in training that could affect the quality of nutrition advice they provide to clients.
A new survey of U.S. registered dietitians reveals a significant gap in their ability to understand and use research statistics, the numbers that help them make better recommendations to clients. According to Gram Research analysis, only about 27% of dietitians correctly understood how to interpret different types of effect estimates, which are the tools researchers use to show how well a diet or treatment works. The study surveyed 114 dietitians and found that while they recognized the importance of these statistics, they often couldn’t accurately interpret them. This matters because when dietitians misunderstand research findings, it can lead to less effective advice for the people they serve. The researchers recommend that dietetic training programs teach these statistical concepts more thoroughly.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional survey of 114 registered dietitians found that only 27.6% correctly understood relative effect estimates and 27.5% understood absolute effect estimates, indicating similar difficulty with both statistical approaches.
Among five different methods for presenting research results, Risk Difference was best understood by dietitians at 30.7% correct responses, while Number Needed to Treat was least understood at 24.6% correct responses, according to the 2026 survey.
In a 2026 survey of 114 U.S. registered dietitians, participants rated Relative Risk as the most useful method for presenting research findings with an average score of 4.82 out of 7, despite this not necessarily being the easiest method to interpret correctly.
A 2026 study of 114 registered dietitians found no demographic or professional factors predicted better understanding of research statistics, suggesting the knowledge gap is widespread across the entire dietetics profession rather than limited to specific groups.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether registered dietitians (nutrition experts) understand how to read and interpret research statistics that show how well diets work
- Who participated: 114 registered dietitians from across the United States who completed an online survey. Out of 11,050 dietitians invited, only 210 started the survey and 114 finished it.
- Key finding: Only about 27% of dietitians correctly understood how to interpret research statistics about diet and health. Some statistics were easier to understand than others, Risk Difference was understood by 30.7% of participants, while Number Needed to Treat was only understood by 24.6%.
- What it means for you: If you work with a dietitian, they may not fully understand the research behind their recommendations. This doesn’t mean their advice is bad, but it suggests the nutrition field needs better training on how to read scientific studies. Ask your dietitian to explain where their recommendations come from.
The Research Details
Researchers created an online survey and sent it to over 11,000 registered dietitians in the United States through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The survey presented dietitians with fake (hypothetical) research scenarios about how a new diet might reduce heart attack risk compared to eating normally. Dietitians were then asked questions to see if they understood different ways of presenting research results, like “relative risk” (comparing two groups) versus “absolute risk” (actual numbers of people affected).
The survey included five different methods for showing research results: three ways of showing absolute numbers and two ways of showing relative comparisons. Researchers also asked dietitians how useful they found each method and whether they thought certainty of evidence (how confident we should be in research findings) was important.
Only 114 dietitians completed the entire survey, which is a small response rate (about 1% of those invited). This is important to know because it means the results might not represent all dietitians perfectly.
Understanding research statistics is a core skill for dietitians because they use research to make recommendations to clients. If dietitians don’t understand how to interpret these statistics correctly, they might recommend things that don’t actually work well, or they might miss important information about risks and benefits. This study is the first to look at this problem in the nutrition field, even though similar studies have shown doctors and other health professionals also struggle with these concepts.
This study has some strengths and weaknesses. The strength is that it’s the first research on this topic in nutrition. The main weakness is the very low response rate, only about 1% of invited dietitians completed the survey. This means the 114 participants might not represent all dietitians accurately. The study also used made-up scenarios rather than real research, which might not reflect how dietitians actually use statistics in their work. The researchers didn’t find any factors that predicted who understood the statistics better, which suggests the problem is widespread rather than limited to certain groups.
What the Results Show
The survey found that dietitians had surprisingly similar difficulty understanding both absolute effect estimates (actual numbers of people affected) and relative effect estimates (comparisons between groups), with about 27% getting the right answers for both types. This is actually lower than expected, suggesting a real gap in training.
When looking at specific methods, Risk Difference (showing the actual difference in numbers between two groups) was the easiest to understand, with 30.7% of dietitians answering correctly. Number Needed to Treat (showing how many people need to follow a treatment for one person to benefit) was the hardest, with only 24.6% answering correctly. The other three methods fell in between.
When asked how useful each method was, dietitians rated them all fairly similarly, but they liked Relative Risk (comparing percentages between groups) the best. On a scale of 1-7, they gave Relative Risk an average score of 4.82. This is interesting because it suggests dietitians prefer a method that might actually be easier to misunderstand.
Dietitians also thought certainty of evidence (how confident we should be in research findings) was quite useful, giving it an average score of 5.07 out of 7. This is a positive sign that they recognize the importance of knowing how reliable research is.
The study found that no specific factors, like years of experience, type of work setting, or educational background, predicted whether a dietitian would understand these statistics better. This suggests the problem isn’t limited to new dietitians or those in certain specialties, but is a widespread issue across the profession. The researchers also noted that dietitians’ perceived usefulness of different methods didn’t match how well they actually understood them, meaning they might be using methods they don’t fully comprehend.
While this is the first study of dietitians, similar research on doctors and other health professionals has found the same problem, many struggle to interpret research statistics correctly. This study shows that the nutrition field has the same challenge. The findings are consistent with what researchers have found in medicine, suggesting this is a common issue across healthcare professions.
The biggest limitation is the low response rate. Only 114 out of 11,050 dietitians completed the survey (about 1%), which means the results might not represent all dietitians. The survey used made-up scenarios rather than real research studies, so we don’t know if dietitians would perform differently with actual published research. The study also didn’t explore why dietitians struggled or what training they had received. Finally, the study was conducted at one point in time with one group, so we can’t know if these results would be the same in other countries or at different times.
The Bottom Line
Dietetic education programs should add more training on how to read and understand research statistics (moderate confidence). Continuing education for practicing dietitians should include workshops on interpreting effect sizes and certainty of evidence (moderate confidence). Dietitians should ask for help from research experts when interpreting complex studies (high confidence). When dietitians give you advice, it’s reasonable to ask them to explain the research behind it (high confidence).
Registered dietitians should care most about this research, as it directly affects their ability to help clients. Dietetic education programs and professional organizations should use this to improve training. Clients working with dietitians should be aware that their dietitian might not fully understand all research, though this doesn’t mean the advice is wrong. Healthcare systems and insurance companies should consider this when evaluating nutrition services.
Changes in education and training would take time to implement, probably 1-2 years for new training programs to be developed and adopted. Practicing dietitians could improve their skills through continuing education within 6-12 months if they commit to learning. The benefits of better-trained dietitians would likely show up gradually as they make better recommendations over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dietitians understand research statistics about nutrition and health?
Not always. A 2026 survey found only 27% of registered dietitians correctly interpreted research statistics. This suggests many dietitians may not fully understand the evidence behind their recommendations, though this doesn’t mean their advice is wrong.
What type of research statistics do dietitians find most confusing?
Dietitians struggled most with ‘Number Needed to Treat’ (understood by only 24.6%) and best understood ‘Risk Difference’ (30.7% correct). Overall, they had similar difficulty with both absolute numbers and relative comparisons.
Should I trust my dietitian’s recommendations if they don’t understand statistics?
Yes, but ask questions. Request that your dietitian explain the research behind their recommendations. Even if they struggle with statistics, their practical experience and training are still valuable. Asking them to explain helps ensure you both understand the evidence.
How can dietitians improve their understanding of research?
The 2026 survey recommends that dietetic education programs and continuing education platforms provide more training on interpreting research statistics, effect sizes, and certainty of evidence. Professional organizations should prioritize this training.
Does experience as a dietitian help with understanding research statistics?
Not according to the 2026 survey. The study found no connection between years of experience and ability to interpret statistics, suggesting this is a training gap affecting dietitians at all career levels.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track how often you ask your dietitian to explain the research behind their recommendations and rate how clearly they explain it (1-10 scale). This helps you assess whether your dietitian understands the evidence they’re using.
- When meeting with a dietitian, ask them: ‘What research shows this will work for me?’ and ‘How confident are you in that research?’ This encourages them to think more carefully about the evidence and helps you understand the strength of their recommendations.
- Over 3-6 months, keep notes on recommendations your dietitian makes and whether they come true for you. This helps you evaluate whether their advice is actually working, regardless of whether they fully understand the underlying statistics.
This article summarizes research findings and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The study surveyed only 114 dietitians and may not represent all registered dietitians. Individual dietitians’ knowledge and competencies vary. Always consult with your registered dietitian or healthcare provider before making dietary changes or health decisions. If you have concerns about your dietitian’s recommendations, seek a second opinion from another qualified healthcare professional.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
