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What’s New at the American Dietetic Association?

June 14th, 2010 Leave a comment Go to comments
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The American Dietetic Association is the country’s largest organization of nutrition professionals. At a time when its voice and plans need to be heard loud and clear, we wanted to get up to date on the ADA’s activities.

We interviewed Karen Ansel, MS, RD, CDN  a New York based Dietitian, Contributing Editor for Woman’s Day Magazine and Co-Author “The Baby & Toddler Cookbook”. As of June 2010 she is also a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. You can follow her on Twitter @KarenAnselRD.

Fooducate: It’s no secret this country is suffering from a terrible obesity epidemic. Can you tell us about some of the ADA’s initiatives and plans for the coming years?

KA: It’s an exciting time at the ADA. We are focusing on prevention, especially at the level of kids and families. Our Healthy School Partnership places RD “coaches” in schools  for one-on-one mini sessions with students during Phys-Ed classes, teaching them about healthy eating habits. This is in conjunction with our Kids Eat Right Campaign, for Registered Dietitians’ involvement in communities and schools. The ADA is also working with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to provide more health insurance coverage for families interested in consultations with a dietitian as a preventative measure.

Fooducate: That’s great. We are so used to spending money to cure problems that could have been prevented at a fraction of the cost.

Which leads to an interesting comparison. The average dietitian earns only 25% of the amount an average physician makes. There are only 70,000 RDs, and almost ten times as many MDs. The economics seems to say – get fat and then we’ll take care of you – that way more money will be spent by everyone. Being slim and healthy is bad for business.

Another interesting  stat – 97% of dietitians are women. Perhaps we are mixing several factors in here, but could the low pay and the more luring “Cure” vs “prevent” proposition be the reason men don’t become dietitians?

KA: In many people’s minds, the image of an RD is a female dietitian in a lab coat. But in recent years with all the media exposure, dietitians are becoming more visible to the public, and the hope is that more men will join the field. The number of male nutrition students has not risen in the past few years, though.

Fooducate: It’s no secret that the ADA is sponsored by large food corporations, including Coca Cola, PepsiCo, and Mars. Many of their products provide little to no nutritional value and contribute to obesity (despite their claims). How can the ADA accept money from such groups?

KA: First off, the vast majority of ADA’s funding is from member dues. Secondly, by going to extremism, I don’t think we’ll be able to achieve our goals. People who are struggling with severe weight issues cannot simply switch overnight to the ultimate diet lifestyle. There needs to be moderation, which includes products from all companies and for all purposes. The ADA’s recommendations and position papers are not influenced by this or that corporate sponsor, and are based purely on the latest science.

Fooducate: Thank you!

Some afterthoughts after mulling things for a bit:

1. Seems like the ADA could do much more to get its voice and messages heard both in mainstream media and social networks. Does anyone know the ADA’s twitter account? (hint: it’s related to the ADA annual trade show and linked to at the bottom of the homepage)

2. The issue of corporate sponsorship is not unique to the ADA. We see it in pharmaceuticals and other fields. Is this a given that cannot be challenged? Can individuals and organizations truly stay objective when they have just received a fat check from a company with vested interest in what they have to say?

3. Would $150,000 a year salary bring more men into the dietetics profession or are there additional reasons for only 2000 men in all of the US working in this important profession? It’s pathetic but you know it – many guys deride nutrition because it seems too sissy for them – “I’m a meat and potato guy….”

We welcome you to add your thoughts in the comments below…

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  • Jason

    I agree with you on the sponsorship. I’d like to add:

    Does it really make a difference if you call it sponsorship money or “member dues”?

    Right after this she starts with the often-heard corporate line about “moderation” – same old mumbo-jumbo.

    Next, she talks about their autonomy and not being influenced. Isn’t all that jazz about “moderation” enough proof of influence? It all sounds very corporate. I’m sure they don’t want to offend their “members”.

    There is room for corporate support, but I think companies should have to pass a high bar. I’m thinking more along the lines of companies that sell truly natural, healthy products like Stonyfield Farm as just one example. Think: minimally processed foods free of additives (organic is a big plus).

    Oh, and not to poo-poo their positive efforts, but how much progress can be made in the Healthy School Partnership and the Kids Eat Right Campaign when schools are serving highly processed, conventional foods that are loaded with preservatives and other unnecessary additives? On top of this, on average, 50% of family’s meals come from dining out where it’s more of the same kinds of things that are in school lunches.

    We really need to find ways to cook more at home and have more schools and restaurants focus on whole foods like organic fruits/veggies, lean meats, nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, dairy, etc.

    Sorry for the long post.

  • http://foodtrainers.blogspot.com Lauren Slayton

    Great post, I agree with both your comments following the interview as well as some of Jason’s comments above. I am an RD in private practice in NYC. I am an ADA member (just paid my rather steep dues) and had no idea about the initiatives mentioned in your post. Yes, I could do a better job reading the ADA journal and other snail mail materials. However, I’m on twitter and facebook and read a ton in the course of the day….but no ADA. I don’t even know if I follow ADA on twitter, thanks for pointing that out. ADA needs to do a better job to modernize and take more of a prominent role in all of this. While I thought Ms Ansel’s answers were well-formulated,my hedging radar did go off when you asked about sponsorship. That’s clearly another area where improvements can me made. Now why did it take a non-ADA (non RD?)person to point all this out. Well done.

  • http://www.AskTheRD.com Maya E Nahra, RD, LD

    Agreed Lauren. And thank you for another wonderful post Fooducate! I too am a private practice holistic RD in Phoenix, AZ. I just want to add one small point… not all RDs are the same. There are some out there working toward a high cause. As these points Fooducate brings to light are true, I have gotten into this area to break apart from the “western RD labels.” There is a group of RDs that fall under the grouping ‘Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine’ (including myself) who might have more thoughts on the subject.

  • http://www.markyoungtrainingsystems.com Mark Young

    I recently discovered this blog and absolutely LOVE the content.

    Truthfully, I think there are a lot more men than might be expected who are studying nutrition. However, while doctors require formal education and certification to practice, those teaching nutrition and exercise do not. Granted, there are personal training certifications, but they are optional (and useless) in many cases. Grad students and many who are self taught by reading scientific literature are practicing nutrition counselling throughout North America.

    As for “sponsorships”, I can hardly imagine that these large companies are donating millions of dollars for nothing. It is sad and disgusting (although not surprising) to me that organizations like the ADA accept funding from such groups.

  • Amy

    There is a difference between “sponsorships” and member dues. I don’t see how they make the “vast majority of their money” from member dues, just a bunch of us dietitians paying their dues every year versus corporate sponsorships? I am an RD who has refused to be a part of the ADA for a long time. I have always felt that I was supposed to say that “all foods can fit” so that I don’t offend any of their corporate sponsors.

  • Zach Bijesse

    “The ADA’s recommendations and position papers are not influenced by this or that corporate sponsor, and are based purely on the latest science.” I wonder which corporations fund the latest science?

  • Jennifer

    There is so much misinformation about nutrition today that it is hard for the ADA and dietitians to get their voice heard. Dietitians preach moderation and portion control, but find it difficult to compete with the latest trend promising a quick fix. The ADA is doing a great job of promoting the dietetics profession, but fight an uphill battle with a fast food nation. If you don’t promote small changes and moderation, people will shut you out. Something has to be done with our toxic environment and dietitians can lead the way as the nutrition experts.
    The issue with the corporate sponsorship is interesting, but the ADA does not allow their recommendations to be influenced by this. If any of you would like to check them out, here is a link: http://www.eatright.org/positions/.

  • http://www.swroadsigns.com Sharon Walls

    Not just the ADA accepting corporate sponsorships. Have you checked out the School Nutrition Association? The largest professional organization for school food service professionals in this country?

  • Leah McGrath, RD LDN

    Thanks for this article. I think it is sad that few dietitians seem to know about initiatives by ADA to effect change at the school level. Why is that? I think having RD coaches in schools is a great idea. I have seen ADA on Twitter but only recently to promote the upcoming conference. I’ve paid membership dues for 15 years and am aware that the ADA, like many other professional organizations, gets some sponsorship from corporations including some of the global food giants. I have never felt that I had to say or not say anything based on those sponsorships.
    Leah McGrath (@InglesDietitian)