Poor diet quality is a leading risk factor associated with death and disability not only in the U.S., but worldwide. What if you could make a difference in people’s lives by helping them to live longer through better diet choices?
Nutrition careers offer a variety of ways to impact the lives of others by helping individuals learn to develop and maintain a healthy diet. As a nutrition specialist, you can gain the rewards of knowing that the work you do each day helps people to thrive and be their best.
Nutrition-related jobs exist in a variety of employment sectors, from health care and education to food service and manufacturing. Jobs related to nutrition exist everywhere from hospitals and schools to research laboratories and even private business settings, such as corporate lunchrooms and cafeterias.
The Facts
According to the data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 39% of all adults in the U.S. are obese or overweight.
Additionally, the U.S. Center for Disease Control reports that only 12% of people meet their daily fruit serving recommendations, and only 9% meet their daily vegetable recommendations.
As the data indicates, from a public health perspective, there is a lot of work to be done in the area of nutrition.
What are the Educational Requirements?
Although the terms ‘nutritionist’ and ‘dietitian’ are often used interchangeably, they are not technically the same, and a nutritionist is not technically a dietitian.
Dietitians are nutritionists with specialized certification. The term “registered dietitian” is legally protected and can only be used by those who have earned the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) designation.
The registered dietitian career path involves getting an approved four-year degree, completing a supervised internship, and passing a national exam.
The type of nutrition training you will need depends on your desired career, and where you hope to work. There are many options available to those with specialized knowledge in nutrition.
If you’re seeking a job as a dietetic technician, or employment as a nutrition assistant, a two-year associate degree is what you need.
However, with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, you could find employment as a food services manager, a dietitian, or other similar careers. In many cases, nutritionists and dietitians earn advanced degrees to further their career and strengthen their earning power.
Nutrition Careers: Skills for Success
To be successful in a nutrition-related career, you should possess the following skills and abilities:
- Teamwork skills
- Keen interest in the impact of diet on health
- Good interpersonal skills
- Communication skills, including the ability to explain complex things simply
- An understanding of science
- Ability to motivate others
- Business skills for freelance work
Nutrition Jobs
Jobs available to those looking for a career in nutrition can be extremely diverse. Dietetics is one option, of course, but having an in-depth understanding of the science behind what we eat can also serve you well in many other sectors, including:
- Hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities
- Training gyms and fitness centers
- Food manufacturing companies
- Academic institutions
- Public health organizations
- Government agencies
- Community centers
- Health food markets
- Wellness centers
Learn more with a Fitness and Nutrition Course
The key to a better lifestyle, to both looking and feeling better, begins with proper nutrition and a regular fitness regimen. Stratford Career Institute’s Fitness and Nutrition course can help you learn advanced concepts in both of these areas. It’s a great course that can help you determine if this career is right for you.
This course offers a well-balanced combination of nutrition, wellness, and physical fitness training. Written by professionals in the field, the course curriculum could help you make improvements in your own life, or help you work toward pursuing a fitness and nutrition career helping others.
Enroll in Stratford’s Fitness and Nutrition Course today!
RATE THIS POST
Loading...Explore a Career in Nutrition
Explore our Fitness and Nutrition course today to see if it is the right fit for you.