Author Question: (A.) Explain the education and training requirements associated with obtaining registration as a ... (Read 88 times)

pane00 · **on:** Aug 20, 2018

(A.) Explain the education and training requirements associated with obtaining registration as a dietitian. (B.) List several career areas in which registered dietitians are often employed.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

List techniques that help identify nutrition quackery.

What will be an ideal response?

ebenov · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A registered dietitian (RD) has the educational background necessary to deliver reliable nutrition advice and care. To become an RD, a person must earn an undergraduate degree requiring about 60 credit hours in nutrition, food science, and other related subjects; complete a year's clinical internship or the equivalent; pass a national examination administered by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; and maintain up-to-date knowledge and registration by participating in required continuing education activities, such as attending seminars, taking courses, or conducting research. To help consumers recognize that an RD is a credentialed nutritionist, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recently approved the optional use of the term registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). The meanings of RD and RDN are identical.

Dietitians perform a multitude of duties in many settings in most communities. They work in the food industry, pharmaceutical companies, home health agencies, long-term care institutions, private practice, public health departments, research centers, education settings, fitness centers, and hospitals. Depending on their work settings, dietitians can assume a number of different job responsibilities and positions. In hospitals, administrative dietitians manage the foodservice system; clinical dietitians provide client care; and nutrition support team dietitians coordinate nutrition care with other health-care professionals. In the food industry, dietitians conduct research, develop products, and market services.

Answer to Question 2

In contrast to registered dietitians, thousands of people obtain fake nutrition degrees and claim to be nutrition consultants or doctors of nutrimedicine. These and other such titles may sound meaningful, but most of these people lack the established credentials and training of an RD. If you look closely, you can see signs of their fake expertise.

Consider educational background, for example. The minimum standards of education for a dietitian specify a bachelor of science (BS) degree in food science and human nutrition or related fields from an accredited college or university. Such a degree generally requires 4 to 5 years of study. Similarly, minimum standards of education for a dietetic technician specify an associate degree that typically requires 2 years of study. In contrast, a fake nutritionist may display a degree from a 6-month course. Such a degree simply falls short. In some cases, businesses posing as schools offer even lessthey sell certificates to anyone who pays the fees. To obtain these degrees, a candidate need not attend any classes, read any books, or pass any examinations.

Sales of unproven and dangerous products have always been a concern, but the Internet now provides merchants with an easy and inexpensive way to reach millions of customers around the world. Because of the difficulty in regulating the Internet, fraudulent and illegal sales of medical products have hit a bonanza. As is the case with the air, no one owns the Internet, and similarly, no one has control over the pollution. Countries have different laws regarding sales of drugs, dietary supplements, and other health products, but applying these laws to the Internet marketplace is almost impossible. Even if illegal activities could be defined and identified, finding the person responsible for a particular website is not always possible. Websites can appear and disappear in a blink of a cursor. Now, more than ever, consumers must heed the caution Buyer beware.

In summary, when you hear nutrition news, consider its source. Ask yourself these two questions: Is the person providing the information qualified to speak on nutrition? Is the information based on valid scientific research? If not, find a better source. After all, your health depends on it.