The field of nutrition has grown over the years due to the interest in healthy eating. With obesity rates growing among adults and children, there is a need for experts educated in the science of healthy eating. Nutritionists work in various settings. Hospital nutritionists and those who work in long term care facilities focus on meal planning for those who need special diets, including patients with diabetes and other chronic diseases related to poor nutrition.
Those who work in health departments and similar settings provide nutrition to individuals and parents of young children. PhD level nutritionists teach at colleges and universities or work in research. In school systems they might serve as child nutrition directors. In community programs nutritionists provide education to groups. Nutritionists also work as Certified Diabetes Educators in special diabetes clinics. They often provide food demonstrations for the public. This involves demonstrating healthy food preparation methods for persons who need to limit cholesterol, fat, salt and sugar as well as writing educational curriculum, fact sheets and books.
Although there are many individuals that provide nutrition education and other nutrition guidance, they are limited in the types of counsel they can provide. Some may refer to themselves as nutritionists, but to be recognized as a registered dietitians or licensed nutritionists. Practitioners must meet the education requirements and clinical experience set forth by the Commission of Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.
The job outlook is promising with salaries averaging over $50,000 per year depending on the works settings and the geographical location. This is an excellent field for those in Pennsylvania that are looking for stable employment opportunities. To prepare for studying nutrition at the college level, it is wise to take courses such as chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, English, and psychology as the college curriculum will include these courses at the advanced level.
In addition to general education requirements and nutrition classes, those studying to become nutritionists are required to complete a dietetic internship at an approved site. Internships can be undertaken at hospitals, long-term care facilities and similar settings as long as the meet the requirements of the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association. This is done under the supervision of a registered dietitian that serves as the intern's preceptor. All of this must be completed before one can work as a registered dietitian or licensed nutritionist in Pennsylvania.
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