Question | Answer |
Dietitian Defined | The translator of the science of nutrition |
From 2500 BC Babylonia: | “If a man has pain inside, food and drink coming back to his mouth….let him refrain from eating onions for 3 days” |
3rd Century China: | Recognition of connection between diabetes and diet |
Europe | Recognized connection between night blindness and diet
1480: First cookbook printed and it contained dietary advice |
18th Century | Advances in sciences were occurring
In New York: Hospital had person on staff who was concerned with feeding the sick, administering hospital funds, menu planning, and satisfying patients |
First food composition tables prepared by USDA | 1896 |
1899: | First conference on Home Economics in Lake Placid, NY
“dietitian” defined:“specialize in knowledge of food/meet demands of the medical profession for diet therapy.”
Late 1890s:Courses in nutrition and dietetics taught at many colleges & universitie |
1903: | Forerunner of dietetics internships developed
3 month course for “pupil dietitians”
Must have been a graduate of domestic science program
Must have taught for one year
Must be 25 years of age or older |
1909: | American Home Economics Association founded |
World War I | 356 US dietitians served in Europe |
1917: | American Home Economics Association did not meet because of the War
Dietitians group of AHEA decided to have meeting anyway |
Dietitian meeting called for in 1917 by who; they were also the founding mothers of the American Dietetic Association | LuLu Graves and Lenna Cooper
98 dietitians meet in Cleveland
At that meeting, decided to form the American Dietetic Association
Dues set at $1 per year
39 charter members |
1918: First meeting of the American Dietetic Association | Established four professional sections:
Dieto therapy
Teaching
Social welfare
Administration |
1922: Set first formalized education requirements to become dietitian | Included a 4 year course of study + dietetics internships |
first issue of the Journal of the American Dietetics Association | 1925 |
first men join ADA | 1930 |
World War II | 1300 dietitians served in the Women’s Army Corps or Red Cross
Some dietitians were prisoners of war and held in Japanese occupied Philippines |
First national registered dietitian (RD) exam given | 1969 |
First states to have dietetic licensure | 1984 |
What is a Registered Dietitian? | Translator of the science nutrition. Completed academic training at credential program-minimum of 1200 hrs. Completed supervised practice-internship. Passed national board exam. |
What is a Nutritionist? | No standard education or training. Anyone can use the term. Some RD's use this title. |
Who is a licensed dietitian? | LD or LDN. Based on state laws & state regulations. Many RD's are also LD's. NM and TX both have laws & regulations for dietitions. |
Who is a dietetic technician? | Registered Dietetic Technician DTR. Complete required academic training. Complete supervised practice-minimum of 450 hrs. Successfully passed DTR exam. Completian of a bachelor's degree as part of Didactic Program DPD program + pass national exam. |
Who are dietitians? | 97% female. Medium age of 43. Ethnicity-89% white 8% other and 3% Hispanic. Median yrs of experience-15 yrs. Education-all have bachelor's degree 45% have masters 3% have doctorate. |
Where do RD's work? | Hospital setting 33%. Extended care facility 10%. Community or public health 9%. Not currently employed 21%. Self-employed, govt., got profit and nonprofit companies. |
Physicians | After bachelor's-4 yr degree in medical school, 2 yr medical science + 2 yr clinical training. Residency after med school: 3-5yrs. Fellowship after residency. |
Other health care professions in pre-health option | Chiropractor, physician therapist, athletic trainers, occupational therapist, dentist, optometrist |
Non RD Careers | WIC nutritionist, school food service, public health, non DTR, food service directors, wellness programs, senior nutrition programs, fitness programs. |
Goals need to be SMART | Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound. |
What are an RD's 7 Practice Areas | 1. Clinical Nutrition Acute Care 2. Clinical Nutrition Ambulatory Care 3. Clinical Nutrition Long Term Care 4. Food & Nutrition Management 5. Community 6. Consultation 7. Education & Research |