Community dietitians counsel individuals and groups on nutritional practices designed to prevent disease and to promote good health. Working in such places as public health clinics, home health agencies, and health maintenance organizations, they evaluate individual needs, establish nutritional care plans, and instruct individuals and their families. Dietitians working in home health may also provide instruction on grocery shopping and preparation of special infant formulas. Popular interest in nutrition has led to opportunities in food manufacturing, advertising, and marketing, where dietitians analyze foods, prepare literature for distribution, or report on issues such as dietary fiber or vitamin supplements. Administrative or management dietitians oversee large-scale meal planning and preparation in such places as health care facilities, company cafeterias, prisons, and schools.
Dietitians promote healthy eating habits.
Most dietitians work a regular 40-hour week, although some work weekends. About 1 dietitian in 5 works part time. However, some dietitians spend time in hot, steamy kitchens. Dietitians and nutritionists may be on their feet for most of the workday. Employment Dietitians and nutritionists held about 50,000 jobs in 1992.