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Current and Breaking News for Professionals, Consumers and Media |
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Let’s start with me. By providing my credentials and background I provide you with credibility and reliability when you read one of my regular features. I’ve been trained to understand and interpret nutrition science into practical information you can use to make your life healthier. Because you are aware of my background and credentials you can trust the information I provide as accurate and up-to-date. I use my training and background as a nutrition educator and journalist. But that is just one way that dietitians help the public every day. The American Dietetics Association was formed in 1917 by a small visionary group to help the U.S. government conserve food and improve public health and nutrition during World War I. Since then it has grown into the foremost professional source of nutrition information in the U.S. with affiliated groups internationally. No one is more on the cutting edge of nutrition science then these professionals. How can you tap into this resource? You already have by reading regular features on Health News Digest, many of which, beside mine, are written by or about dietitians. You can access more information by going to the association’s website at www.eatright.org. Not only will you find an enormous amount of information about health, food, and nutrition you can also access a national referral system to find a dietitian in your area. Simply click on the website feature, Find a Nutrition Professional. This national referral service helps you locate registered dietitians in your area. A registered dietitian is a health professional who has completed a four year approved, undergraduate degree in science, nutrition and clinical practice. They then complete an accredited, supervised, clinical experience – a hands-on, practical internship. And, finally they must pass a national registration exam. But, they still aren’t done. Every registered dietitian must complete 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years to maintain their credentials. Are you impressed? You should be. These are very thoroughly trained, up-to-date professionals with a wealth of experience and knowledge. In addition, nearly half of all registered dietitians hold advanced academic degrees and many have received certifications in specialized areas such as weight maintenance, pediatrics, or diabetes education. Depending on their work setting, dietitians may also be referred to as nutritionists. This is common in public health settings, business positions or public relations jobs. As a savvy health consumer, you should know that the title registered dietitian has been legally defined. That is not the case with the title nutritionist. The credentials R.D. after a nutritionist name is an indicator of their background and training, just the way M.D. assures you of your doctor’s credentials. Practicing dietitians are everywhere. Hospitals and health care facilities, like nursing homes, are traditional work locations but today the scope of work is broader. You may see them on TV food or health programs, or read columns, like this one. Your doctor’s medical practice may have a nutrition counselor available to help patients manage weight, allergies, heart disease, diabetes, GI problems, or any other health conditions where food and nutrition plays an important role in treatment and prevention. Some dietitians work in research or teach at colleges and universities. Others work in federal or local government health positions. Some help run feeding assistance programs and still others are serving in every branch of the armed forces feeding our troops. And, once a year, in March, the American Dietetics Association celebrates National Nutrition Month with a themed public health message. Chances are you have seen or participated in some of these education programs in the past but may not have been aware of who was sponsoring them. Yearly, the group sponsors a national meeting to highlight the newest scientific findings. This year the meeting is in Philadelphia. I’m heading there right now and will be sharing what I learn with you in the upcoming weeks. © NRH Nutrition Consultants, Inc. Jo-Ann Heslin, MA, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian and the author of the nutrition counter series for Pocket Books with 12 current titles and sales in excess of 5 million books. The books are widely available at your local or on-line bookseller. Current titles include: The Diabetes Carbohydrate and Calorie Counter, 3rd Ed., 2007 The Calorie Counter, 4th Ed., 2007 The Most Compete Food Counter, 2nd Ed., 2006 -- trade paperback The Complete Food Counter, 2nd Ed., 2006 Coming in 2008; The Cholesterol Counter, 7th Ed. The Healthy Wholefoods Counter For more information on Jo-Ann and her books, go to www.TheNutritionExperts.com. www.HealthNewsDigest.com Top of Page 
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