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Commentary
RD = Expert
By PATRICIA A. CAREY, PhD, RD, LDN Clinical Dietitian Summit Health Improvement Center
Do you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure? Do you struggle with managing your diabetes? Are you dangerously overweight or even just have a few pounds to lose? When you need food and nutrition information based on fact or need to know how a healthy diet improves health and fights disease, turn to a Registered Dietitian (RD), the food and nutrition expert.
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March 10 marked the first (and hopefully annual) Registered Dietitian Day to increase public awareness of RDs as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and to recognize RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives. RDs are the food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. With so much information out there on diet and nutrition, it's difficult to separate fact from fad. RDs have the expertise and training to help you sort through the fog of information and help you apply it to your life.
RDs have degrees in nutrition, dietetics, public health or other related fields from accredited colleges and universities and have completed an internship and passed a national supervised examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. All RDs must maintain up-to-date competence by completing continuing professional education requirements to maintain registration. Over 50 percent of RDs have advanced degrees (Masters or PhD). Some dietitians also hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support and diabetes education. In addition, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania licenses dietitians/nutritionists as LDN. Be wary of someone who calls himself or herself a "nutritionist" in Pennsylvania but does not have the letters LDN behind his or her name! A "nutritionist" could be anyone from a personal trainer to a health food store employee and may have little or no qualifications for dispensing nutrition advice.
Even the Institute of Medicine (IOM), a part of the National Academy of Sciences, has recognized RDs as the single qualified professional for nutrition therapy. Many health insurance providers are now covering services provided by an RD. In 2002, Medicare began reimbursing for services provided by an RD for people with diabetes or kidney disease. Other private insurance companies are increasingly covering visits to a registered dietitian for treatment of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. In many cases, individuals are amazed to discover how small lifestyle changes, such as adding more vegetables to their daily eating plans, quickly add up and pay big health dividends over time for the treatment of these diseases. Registered dietitians use their nutrition expertise to help individuals make just these types of unique, positive lifestyle changes.
When you need trusted, accurate, timely and practical nutrition advice, seek the services of a registered dietitian. With more than 67,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. To locate a registered dietitian in your area, visit the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org
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