Career as dietician or nutritionist

People are increasingly becomeing health conscious these days and consult dieticians and nutritionists. A dietician enables people to make informed and practical choices about food and lifestyle in health and disease. It is therefore a good time to be a nutritionist or a dietician.

A dietician assists infants, the elderly, the sick, the hospitalised, the obese, nursing mothers, sportspersons and a host of others either in a clinical setting (hospitals and nursing homes) or as a consultant in a speciality clinic. Dieticians guide the clueless on healthy eating habits and draw up a personalised food plan that meets the patient’s dietary restrictions, occupational constraints, fitness and stress levels.

They undertake the practical application of nutrition with individuals  and communities to promote well-being and prevent nutrition related problems. They are also involved in the diagnosis and dietary treatment of disease.

Dietitians have a wide range of responsibilities including working with people with special dietary needs, informing the general public about nutrition, evaluating and improving treatments and educating patients/clients, other healthcare professionals and community groups.

Nature of work

The activities a dietitian may be involved in include:

*  Educating and advising a wide range of patients with diet-related disorders on the practical ways in which they can improve their health by adopting healthier eating habits;

*  Calculating patients' nutritional requirements using standard equations based on assessments of blood chemistry, temperature, stress, mobility and other relevant factors;

* Analysing the nutritional content of food (including new products, if you work in the food industry);

* Delivering group sessions to a variety of audiences, including children and patient groups;

* Working as part of a multidisciplinary team in hospitals or in a community setting to gain patients' cooperation in following recommended dietary treatments;

* Educating other healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, biochemists, social workers, care workers and community workers) about food and nutrition issues;

*  Advising hospital catering departments about the specific dietary requirements of patients;

*Running clinics in hospital outpatients departments or general practitioners' (GP) surgeries for patients who have been referred by hospital consultants, GPs or health visitors;

*  Advising athletes and sportspersons on how diet can optimise performance and recovery from injury;

*  Educating sportspersons to understand the physiology and biochemistry of different types of exercise and the role nutrition has in these processes;

*  Writing reports and case notes and maintaining accurate records;carrying out visits to people's homes, including nursing homes;

*  Preparing information packs, flyers and other promotional materials;
*  A dvising the food and pharmaceutical industry.

Skillset

A dietitian needs to have an interest in science, people and food, be able to communicate with people from all areas of the community, an ability to explain complex things simply, a positive and motivating attitude and an understanding, non-discriminatory approach as well as patience and a sense of humour.

Prospects

Hospitals have always been one of the highest employers of dietician. A dietician is usually conditioned by the doctor and plans the nutrition of the patient accordingly. Food processing industries and nutraceuticals companies are also emerging as leading employers. Here dieticians work in tandem with the biomedical team to come up with the right product.

Residential schools, airlines, gymnasiums, health clubs, spas are other avenues where a nutritionist is highly sought after. One can also be a consultant for hotels and cafes.
International organisations like the UN, UNICEF, and WHO as well as those that come under the ministry of Human Resource Development and institutes such as the National Institute of Nutrition also employ these professionals.

Large packaged food manufacturers and food processing units also hire nutritionists and dieticians to advice them on development of new products.

Dieticians with a flair for writing can write on health and nutrition and suggesting innovative recipes and useful dietary tips with a focus on healthy and balanced eating.

Most newspapers and magazines have separate health and fitness sections, which are very popular with readers. All TV channels run popular health and fitness programmes which feature knowledgeable and articulate experts to discuss health issues and answer viewers’ queries.

After one gains sufficient work experience, one may even consider setting up his/her own practice or work as a consultant to hospitals, clinics, and sports teams.
Where to study?

A number of universities offer a 3-yr BSc/BA in Nutrition/Dietetics. These subjects are also offered as a post-graduate specialisation both at the degree (Masters in Home Science/Applied Nutrition) as well as post-graduate diploma level.

* Lady Irwin College, New Delhi www.ladyirwin.edu.in
*Punjab Technical University, www.ptu.ac.in

*Sam Higginbotom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Allahabad www.aaidu.org

* Maharajadhiraj Uday Chand Women's College Burdwan, West Bengal

* Women's Christian College Chennai, Tamil Nadu

* Institute of Home Economics, New Delhi

* National Institute of Nutrition, Jamia Osmania, Hyderabad

*Osmania University, Hyderabad

*SNDT Women's University, Mumbai

*University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad