The Roots of Nutrition Profession

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 & Head Dept 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 Recognized for a pioneering spirit, a spirit that lives on in today’s members

Founded 2 dietetic associations 2 World Wars Created internships and training opportunities Ryley and Jeffs

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 & Promotion http://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

1980’s – Canada’s Food Guide Office of Nutrition Policy & Promotion http://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

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 BodyTest, 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 Declarationon 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.

The Roots of Nutrition Profession