As public interest in nutrition grows, more emphasis on health education and healthy lifestyles will further feed demand for dietitians and nutritionists, especially in management areas. According to the latest figures available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of the dietitians and nutritionists employed in 1998 worked in hospitals, nursing homes or physician's offices and clinics. State and local government agencies accounted for one in six jobs, primarily in health departments and public health related programs. She says she sees a broader role for registered dietitians in the years ahead. Dietetics is not just working with sick people.
People are interested in staying healthy.
Science is broadening our knowledge about nutrition's role in our lives. With the help of dietitians, we can learn from infancy to eat right and prevent or delay chronic diseases. Registered dietitians are fast becoming key health-care professionals. Among their duties, dietitians and nutritionists plan food and nutrition programs, supervise proper nutritional preparation of meals, promote healthy eating habits through education and conduct research. Many registered dietitians specialize in pediatric dietetics, diabetes, renal and nutrition support.