About Nutritionists

Nutritionists are specialists in the study of food sciences. Their studies focus on the biochemical and physiological effects of nutrition on the human body. Nutritionists working in the field or in a practice are often concerned with addressing nutritional deficiencies as cause for disease or determining nutritional needs to address specific health issues.
But the field of nutritional study isn't limited to which foods fight cancer or what to eat to ease the symptoms of menopause. The career opportunities for a certified nutritionist range from private practice or consultancy to positions within the public health arena. Nutritionists work in hospitals, schools and medical research facilities as well as in the corporate sector.

Significance

• In recent years, people have become more concerned with making healthier lifestyle choices and this trend includes a heightened awareness of the nutritional value of foods. This has given rise to expansions in the field of nutritional studies. Words such as antioxidant and bioflavonoids have become commonplace. People want to tailor their diets to address specific issues such as high blood pressure or to increase muscle mass. Consulting a nutritionist rather than a general practitioner regarding such dietary matters is becoming the norm.

Warning

• In some ways, however, nutritionist is an emerging occupation. Though the field of study is not new to the food sciences, the regulation and oversight of the practice is still ill defined. The words nutritionist and dietician are still sometimes used interchangeably. They are two separate fields. A dietitian will have at least a bachelor's degree and be registered as a dietitian. He or she will work in a hospital, care facility or school, for example, in the capacity of providing dietary recommendations, managing the food supplies and overseeing distribution. A nutritionist doesn't necessarily need a degree or even certification. Anyone with a background in food science or related field can "hang out a shingle" claiming to be a nutritionist.

Identification

• A qualified nutritionist will have completed at least a bachelor's degree in the food and nutritional sciences. This degree should include courses in biochemistry, biology, epidemiology, nutritional physiology and nutritional biochemistry, to name a few.
  A qualified nutritionist may also seek certification from the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists (CBNS) or the American Society for Nutritional Sciences (ASNS). These institutes have rigorous requirements for certification. For example, to qualify for the ASNS, a nutritionist must have published research in the field and still be actively working in the field of study.
  Anyone seeking out the advice of a nutritionist should verify that nutritionist's credentials before employing his services.

Function

• The field of nutritionist isn't limited to individual consultancy. Like a dietitian, a nutritionist can find career opportunities in both the public and private sector. Nutritionists may be employed in marketing and advertising. Because of her understanding of nutritional value and its relationship to human health, a nutritionist can provide insight as to how to market a particular food or product so as to attract consumers. Facilities such as cancer treatment centers or women's wellness centers offer opportunities for the nutritionist as well. He or she would advise patients on their nutritional intake to better manage their conditions or the side effects of treatments. Government agencies and organizations offer employment to the qualified nutritionist as well. A nutritionist may be a part of a study of epidemic nutritional deficiencies or work in the Food and Drug Administration.

Potential

• According to the 2008/09 edition of the occupational handbook published by the Department of Labor, the fields of both dietitian and nutritionist are expected to have a 9 percent growth over the next decade. Much of the interest will be directed toward the health and care of older people as baby boomers age into their retirement years. It should be noted, though, that the nutritionist will be less in demand in nursing facilities but more in demand in wellness centers and outpatient care centers. This projection is based on the trend toward healthier lifestyles in older people compared to previous generations.

Considerations

• The role of nutritionist in the medical field is taking on new responsibilities. As more credibility is given to the part nutrition plays in a healthy lifestyle, and its role in the management and healing of disease and disorders, the nutritionist is becoming less a food consultant and more a technician in health management. Physicians are beginning to look at nutrition as a part of the treatment of patients, advising patients on dietary changes to manage their health and perhaps relying less on prescription medications for certain conditions. These physicians are likely to be relying on the published research of qualified nutritionists.