Time to put down that candy bar and pick up a carrot stick - March is National Nutrition Month! To celebrate, we'd like to illuminate the many career paths that are possible for someone interested in nutrition.
With increased interest in healthy eating and disease prevention, as well as a rapidly aging population, careers in nutrition continue to grow. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for dietitians and nutritionists are expected to increase by at least 27% between 2004 and 2014.
Traditionally, registered dietitians (RDs) have comprised the majority of nutrition professionals. RDs are consulted for a variety of nutrition concerns including diabetes, weight management, and prenatal care. They typically work in hospitals, private practices, or other clinical settings. Before becoming an RD, students must earn a bachelor's degree (including completion of a dietetics curriculum at an accredited institution), complete at least 900 supervised practicum hours (known as a dietetic internship), and pass a registration/accreditation exam. (Note: Anyone can call themselves a "nutritionist" - including those who have no formal training in nutrition at all. Dietitians must complete the above steps, and are then credentialed as a nutrition authority.)
But nutrition-related jobs are not limited to clinical settings. The field of nutrition is increasingly varied and attracts everyone from writers to athletes. Lest you think you need to wear a lab coat to work in nutrition, read on...
* Nutrition Writer. Popular magazines, including Fitness, Health and Shape, employ freelance (or staff) writers to decode the latest nutrition information, trends, fads, and myths. Nutrition writers can also find plenty of work online, writing content for the many health-based websites. The ability to translate complex scientific information into laymen's terms is an essential skill.
* Restaurant Management. A restaurant manager might utilize a nutrition background in designing menus, selecting product vendors, ensuring food safety and improving marketing to customers. Applebee's' new focus on offering dishes that fit within the Weight Watchers meal plan is just one example of the increasing reliance on nutrition professionals in the restaurant field.
* Food Scientist. A food scientist applies scientific principles in the research, development, production technology, quality control, packaging, processing and utilization of food. Typically a food scientist works in a lab and has taken courses in biology, chemistry and physics.
* Sports Nutritionist. A sports nutritionist may work with personal trainers in advising athletes on healthy eating habits and nutrition principles for enhancing performance. Nutritionists may work with athletes one-on-one or with an entire team. Topics such as electrolyte balance, the importance of carbohydrates and nutritional supplements are of particular significance in the sports arena. Those with an interest in exercise physiology, sports medicine, and nutrition are great candidates for this field.
* Nutrition Educator. Nutrition education has become increasingly important as public health campaigns have begun to target obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Nutrition educators often work for community programs that serve specific, high-risk populations, including the elderly, pregnant women and young children.
Kristin Noonan is a graduate students majoring in food policy and applied nutrition at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
