Roles of Registered Dietitians at UD
Roles of Registered Dietitians at UD
by Kathryn Siemienski, MS, Dietetic Intern
This March we're celebrating the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ National Nutrition Month®, an annual campaign that highlights nutrition education and information! So let's take this chance to have a look at the history and various roles of Registered Dietitians here at the University of Delaware (UD)!
UD Cooperative Extension
Founded in 1917, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics was an effort to help the government conserve food and improve the public's health and nutrition during the first World War. Interestingly, it was around this same time that the 1914 Smith-Lever Act formalized our existence here at UD Cooperative Extension! Started as a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and land-grant universities, Cooperative Extension's goal at the time was to address rural and agricultural issues in each university's community. Today, the modern version of Cooperative Extension does this and so much more! While we still address agricultural issues, we now also offer resources on personal and economic development, support environmental stewardship, promote sustainable food production systems and — yes — provide education on nutrition and food safety!
Here at UD Cooperative Extension, registered dietitians and nutrition professionals carry out public health initiatives like Food$mart: a program that helps those with limited resources and young children learn how to balance healthy eating while on a budget, maintain food safety and increase healthy physical activity. Each Food$mart session even features a food demonstration where participants prepare and enjoy a healthy, cost-effective meal! Other nutrition programs that we offer include diabetes management, osteoporosis prevention, stress management, mindfulness and even youth summer camps! Many of the more youth-oriented programs are carried in coordination with Delaware 4-H: a youth development program that supports children through hands-on activities and leadership opportunities within the community.
The BHAN Department
Another component of UD's nutrition education comes from our friends over at UD's Department of Behavioral Health & Nutrition (BHAN), a program that hosts over 33 faculty members and 800 students. Faculty members prepare future nutrition professionals by teaching them the various nutritional, behavioral, physiological and psychosocial aspects of "health and wellness”. In addition to what is taught in the classroom, students can also learn through collaboration with faculty on various innovations and interdisciplinary research. But these benefits are not just confined to BHAN students. UD students of any major or discipline can learn how to improve their own lives and the lives of others around them with a little help from the BHAN120 Activity Courses and BHAN130 Wellness Courses.
Student Health Services
Over at Student Health Services, students can meet with a registered dietitian one-on-one about healthy eating and meal planning, weight management, diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, special diets, eating disorders and even sports nutrition. Student athletes can also benefit from the help of their team's registered dietitian, who can help enhance a student's athletic performance and optimize their recovery from injuries.
Staff and Faculty Programs
The efforts for university-wide health and wellness don't stop at the student level, though. Faculty and staff at UD can take nutrition and cooking workshops with registered dietitians and are offered fitness classes and wellbeing programs as a benefit of working with the University.
STAR Campus
The new STAR Health Sciences Complex is the latest effort to extend UD's efforts to provide health, wellness and prevention to the general public. Some of the services provided include primary healthcare, physical therapy, speech therapy, mental health services, health coaching, women's health, exercise counseling and nutrition counseling. Registered dietitians employed at the clinic provide counseling to individuals on conditions including, but not limited to, heart disease, weight control, diabetes and pre-diabetes, bariatric surgery, special diets and food intolerances or allergies.
The STAR complex is also utilized to inform members of the community about research studies and to prepare students to become professional healthcare leaders.
As you can see, UD's dedication to improving the health and wellness of our community is truly a group effort.
This National Nutrition Month®, please consider what lifestyle changes you can make to improve your health. Keep in mind this year's theme: "Eat Right, Bite by Bite." Every small effort or bite is a step in the right direction and can lead to better health! What positive lifestyle changes will you make during National Nutrition Month®?