The Roots of Nutrition Profession
HNU 185
Dr. L. Wadsworth
Spelling of Dietitian
Spell check will give you the American spelling with a “c”
Nutritional Science
International Union of Nutrition Scientists (IUNS) “the purpose of nutrition science
is to contribute to a world in which present and future generations fulfill their human potential, live in the best of health, and develop, sustain and enjoy an increasingly diverse human, living, and physical environment.” (p. 4)
Geissen Declaration, from www.iuns.org
Finding a Job
New graduates find employment quickly
Majority work in clinical and community-based settings
Most employed full-time in one position
Find jobs through Internet, e-mail, networks
Most satisfied with starting annual salary
The Roots of Nutrition Profession Lillian Massey
household science classes as part of Toronto mission
- late 1800s response to local hunger
First university courses in household science -- U of T in 1902 first graduates in 1906
The Roots of Nutrition Profession
There is no thought that the universities are to become cooking schools, but that the subject of right living, including the right nutrition of the human race, is to be given its legitimate status in the world of science.
Annie L. Laird
Professor & HeadDept of Household Science, U of Toronto 1902-1936
The Roots of Nutrition Profession
Sense of social responsibility
Belief that foods affect health and wellbeing for individuals and communities
Violet Ryley and Kathleen Jeffs
Recognizedfor a pioneeringspirit, a spirit that lives on in today’s members
Ryley and Jeffs
Founded 2 dietetic associations
2 World Wars Created
internships and training opportunities
The Roots of Nutrition Profession Early graduates worked in private
and public service Disseminated nutrition & safe food
handling information Trained other dietitians
During WWI Overseas markets for fish declined DFO hired dietitian to promote fish
consumption to Canadians Improved community nutrition status &
helped local fisheries
The Roots of Nutrition Profession During WWII Canadian
dietitians trained army cooks healthy eating classes for
civilians limited wartime food supplies
helped Canadians with rationing & shortages
1944 -- 1st CDA recognized community nutrition course
The Roots of Nutrition Profession During times of peace
Overnutrition & chronic disease hunger & food insecurity
Canadian Dietetics Association (CDA)
Founded 1935 Amalgamated several prov’l
dietetic assoc’s Restructuring -- 1990s
name change Dietitians of Canada (DC)
established regional structure provincial associations now
registration bodies only
Career Outlines
Dietitian Leaders highlighted on DC website www.dietitians.ca Click on the photo of the dietitian
profiled on the home page Listen to the audio file & read the
bio Can click to access complete
photo gallery of 45+ dietitians
Nutrition Guidelines Publications 1940 - CDA & CMA
collaborated Food for Health in Peace and
War title change in 1942 - Canada’s
Official Food Rules Guide to obtain adequate
nutrition for minimum intakes
Office of Nutrition Policy & Promotionhttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/onpp-bppn/fg_rev_project_overview_e.html
Nutrition Guidelines Publications
1961 -- Canada’s Food Guide flexibility in rules for different
lifestyles minimum needs -- a
foundation diet
Office of Nutrition Policy & Promotionhttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/onpp-bppn/fg_rev_project_overview_e.html
1980’s – Canada’s Food Guide
Office of Nutrition Policy & Promotionhttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/onpp-bppn/fg_rev_project_overview_e.html
Nutrition Guidelines Publications 1992 -- Canada’s Food Guide to
Healthy Eating total diet approach acknowledges all foods we consume goal to reduce incidence of chronic
disease 1997 --Preschoolers & 6-12 2007 – Eating Well with Canada’s
Food Guide Evolving science, Dietary Reference
Intakes, Changes in food supply and food use
First Nation’s, Inuit & Metis guide
Office of Nutrition Policy & Promotionhttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/onpp-bppn/fg_rev_project_overview_e.html
Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide
Eating Well with Canada's Food GuideFirst Nations, Inuit & Métis
National Nutrition Campaigns
1970s - Ontario set 1 week in March as Nutrition Week
1st National Nutrition Week - 1981 Energy In - Energy Out
1982 - became National Nutrition Month 2006 – Make wise food choices
wherever you go 2007 – Family meals are fun
National Nutrition Campaigns
1986 - paid TV ads for first time 1988 - TV special, The Body
Test, seen by 1 million viewers
National Nutrition Campaigns
1990s also saw toll-free phone lines launch of public web site
(www.dietitians.ca) 1st joint nutrition month with ADA
2000s brought Further DC/ADA joint position
papers PEN – Practice-based Evidence in
Nutrition http://www.dieteticsatwork.com/
PEN/demo.asp
National Nutrition Campaigns
Success of campaigns due to: coordinated advance planning well-focused theme & target
audience good communications with
members sponsorship from gov’t,
marketing boards & private industry
enthusiasm & hard work by dietitians
Dial-a-Dietitian
1962 - Ontario DA began phone hot line in Toronto
ON & QC programs ended due to lack of funds
Programs still operational to some degree in AB, BC, SK, PEI
Position Papers
1980s - CDA 1st issued statements on single issues
Published in CDA/DC journal Canadian Journal of Dietetic
Practice and Research Some jointly with ADA
Hunger Issues
1960s -- CDA supported UN FAO’s Freedom from Hunger campaign morally and financially
1980s - poverty food assistance programs in Canada CDA included food security in
its organizational goal dietitians involved in
community projects such as community kitchens
2005 & 2007 DC position statements
Food Security
All people at all times have access to safe, nutritionally adequate, and personally acceptable foods in a manner which maintains human dignity
World Nutrition Summit - 1992
Adopted World Declaration on Nutrition - pledged to reduce: starvation & widespread chronic
hunger undernutrition micronutrient deficiencies, e.g., iron,
iodine, zinc, Vit A diet-related chronic diseases social and other impediments to
breastfeeding inadequate sanitation, e.g., unsafe
drinking water
The Wellness Movement
Dietitians should be ready to assume responsibility of establishing themselves as the nutrition experts assume leadership roles in
health promotion New community jobs opening
for dietitians in last 10 years Grocery stores,
Sports/physiotherapy clinics, PHC, writing/journalism, spas, consultants …
Nutrition-Related Organizations
Dietitians of Canada (DC) Provincial Dietetic
Association (NSDA) Nova Scotia Nutrition
Council (NSNC) Alliance of Healthy Eating
and Physical Activity (AHEPH)
International Union of Nutritional Sciences
Required Readings
Hughes. (2002). The perogy. Brown. (2005). Dietary
challenges of new Americans.