NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
Dietetics is the science and art of feeding individuals based on the principles of nutrition. It can also be said to be the “science and art of human nutritional care.” Diet therapy and its application in patient related settings is a major focus of dietetics. Thus, the field of dietetics can be related to: (a) nutrition care and intervention focused on the individual and (b) nutrition care and intervention focused on the group.
Diet plays a major role in promotion of health and well being of individual. A good and balanced diet habit improves the quality of life while poor diet may lead to morbidity and diseases. Nutritionists and dietetics are concerned with this aspect. While dietetics is related to food management, nutrition is related to promotion of health. Due to changes in food habits of most of the urban population, role of nutritionists and dieticians is becoming more important. They suggest corrective food habits considering various aspects of an individual such as age, work routine and sickness etc. and thereby improving their quality of life. They also educate their clients about preparation of food according to the principles of nutrition. They know about food production and processing, psychological factors influencing food choice, digestion and its effects on nutritional aspects. A growing and aging population will increase the demand for meals and nutritional counseling in nursing homes, schools, prisons, community health programmes, and home health care agencies.
The nutritionist/ dietician’s job
Nutritionists are involved with understanding the physical activities, routine and the diet that is currently followed by the patient.Nutritionists understand the individual's likes, dislikes, food habits and work schedule, or any sort of other illness that the patient is suffering from.
Dietetics is the science and art of feeding individuals based on the principles of nutrition. It can also be said to be the “science and art of human nutritional care.” Diet therapy and its application in patient related settings is a major focus of dietetics. Thus, the field of dietetics can be related to: (a) nutrition care and intervention focused on the individual and (b) nutrition care and intervention focused on the group.
Diet plays a major role in promotion of health and well being of individual. A good and balanced diet habit improves the quality of life while poor diet may lead to morbidity and diseases. Nutritionists and dietetics are concerned with this aspect. While dietetics is related to food management, nutrition is related to promotion of health. Due to changes in food habits of most of the urban population, role of nutritionists and dieticians is becoming more important. They suggest corrective food habits considering various aspects of an individual such as age, work routine and sickness etc. and thereby improving their quality of life. They also educate their clients about preparation of food according to the principles of nutrition. They know about food production and processing, psychological factors influencing food choice, digestion and its effects on nutritional aspects. A growing and aging population will increase the demand for meals and nutritional counseling in nursing homes, schools, prisons, community health programmes, and home health care agencies.The nutritionist/ dietician’s job
Nutritionists are involved with understanding the physical activities, routine and the diet that is currently followed by the patient.Nutritionists understand the individual's likes, dislikes, food habits and work schedule, or any sort of other illness that the patient is suffering from.
Dieticians and Nutritionists are well aware of food production and processing, various psychological and physical factors that affect the food choice, the digestion, absorption of food, metabolism rates and its effect on nutritional well being, and how to prevent and treat nutrition-related health prolems and diseases.
Various Specialized Areas in Dietetics
Clinical Dietitians are specialists in food nutrition services in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices. They assess patient nutrition, develop dietary plans, provide patient counselling, and monitor patient's progress.
Community Dietitians work in public health agencies, health and fitness clubs, and day care centers. They counsel people on food choices and direct programmes in nutrition awareness and disease prevention.
Management Dietitians specialize in food service systems or clinical management. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, school food service, cafeterias, and restaurants. They manage personnel, plan and conduct employee training programmes, design food systems, and plan budgets.
Consultant Dietitians are independent business people who work as nursing home consultants, book authors, and patient counselors in medical centers and fitness programmes. They also develop and evaluate food service systems and serve as independent advisors to industry.
OPPORTUNITIES IN NUTRITION & DIETETICS
Sports and Health Clubs: They can also work for sports hostels and athletes camps. Health and recreation clubs, canteen and nursing care facilities also require the services of nutritionists and dietitians. Employment opportunities are also open to them in catering department of star hotels and restaurants. Teaching, Research and Development: Research and development involves conducting research on various food items to ensure their quality as well as studying the effects of various types of diet on the body chemistry in labs. The research dietician or nutritionists do research on nutritive value of food which helps to understand the various components of food we eat and the right type of food which provides a balanced mix of the essentials like vitamins, minerals etc. needed for the human body. They also can opt for research career mainly in universities, public or private sector research institutes, food product manufacturing companies and hospitals. Teaching the science of nutrition of dietetics in colleges and universities is also a good option. Mass Media: Moreover they could find openings in the mass media where top priority is given to disseminating vital information on healthy living. Gyms, Slimming Centers: Private Consultant/ Practitioner: Experienced dietitians may become assistant, associate, or director of a dietetic department, or become self-employed. Some dietitians specialize in areas such as renal or paediatric dietetics. Besides all these they can also work as private consultant or private practitioner. Salary talk The pay scale varies depending on the area of location, education and experience. For instance, a nutritionist in a small town would be paid less as compared to one working in a metro, while a dietician in a hospital may earn less than a dietician with his or her own practice. A fresher can earn between Rs. 15,000 to 20,000 per month. After gaining a good experience, you may touch Rs 30,000 plus. “In government hospitals, with the Sixth Pay Commission, the salaries have risen to Rs. 25,000,” says Namrata. Nutritionists working in the private sector will have differing pay amounts.
Graduates may continue their studies with the goal of obtaining a PhD or MD. The dietetics and biology programmes offer students the opportunity to obtain a dietetics degree. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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