Career in nutrition and dietetics

Ranjan K Baruah *

Diet and nutrition is important as well as a balanced diet is must for us. In recent years due to fast changes there has been a change in food habits amongst people. It is high time that we need to know what are we eating and are we are consuming according to need. One of the career options related to this is none other than Nutrition and Dietetics.

Nutrition is the science that interprets the interaction of nutrients and other substances in food in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health and disease of an organism. It includes food intake, absorption, assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism, and excretion.

The diet of an organism is what it eats, which is largely determined by the availability and palatability of foods. For humans, a healthy diet includes preparation of food and storage methods that preserve nutrients from oxidation, heat or leaching, and that reduce risk of food borne illnesses.

A dieticians is an expert in dietetics; that is, human nutrition and the regulation of diet. A dieticians alters their patient’s nutrition based upon their medical condition and individual needs. Dieticians are regulated healthcare professionals licensed to assess, diagnose, and treat nutritional problems.

A registered dietician or registered dietician nutritionist is a dietician who meets all of a set of special academic and professional requirements, including the completion of a bachelor’s degree with an accredited nutrition curriculum, an internship at an approved health-care facility, food service organization, or community agency, and satisfactory performance on a registration exam.

The dietician is the link between the patient and medical team or physician in assisting difficult decisions making about nutrition care. We must be aware that India is now a global capital for diabetes which brings more scopes for dieticians.

List of Institutes of Nutrition and Dietetics in India-
All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Women’s University (SNDT), University of Home Economics (Delhi University);
Lady Irwin College, New Delhi;
Osmania University- Hydrabad,
University of Mumbai,
Maharaja Syajiro University of Baroda, Vadodara;
Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur;
Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad.;
Christian Medical College, Vellore ;
Sri Ramachandra and Research Institute (Deemed University), Chennai,
Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Apart from regular courses there are distance courses available for the aspirants who are interested to take this area of study.

There are different job avenues or opportunity to be self employed. Trained people may get different designation when they start into the profession. Some of the specialized areas in dietetics includes Clinical Dietitians , Community Dietitians ,Management Dietitians ,Consultant Dietitians , etc . They may get job in government sector or in the private sectors.

Apart from jobs they may also get engagement in private health clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, sports and health clubs or gyms and other fitness centres. Some may also come into teaching as many institutes offer the course. There would be more demand and scope for the people who are taught and trained in this field as life style diseases are increasing in our country.

Updates:

Korea-India Friendship Essay Competition 2018: All India Korea-India Friendship Essay Competition 2018 invites applications from students of class 6 to 9 to write an essay on the topic ‘Why South Korea is my Favorite Country?’ in 150 to 300 words and from students of class 10 to 12 to write on ‘Why I want to become an Indian Ambassador to South Korea?’ in 300 to 500 words.

The senior students can win a free trip to Korea and the junior students can win up to INR 20000. This essay writing competition is organized by the Korean Cultural Centre India, Embassy of Republic of Korea. Interested students may send their entries before 17th August.

MAITS: Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship (MAITS) 2018 invites applications from class 10/12 passed students who have secured admission in a government or other recognised Polytechnic Institute for Diploma Courses in India. Aspirants may apply before 16th August.