Nutrition & Fitness Careers

Careers in nutrition or fitness are part of a growing market for people who want to help others make healthy choices. Nutrition is the study of food composition, digestion, what types of food are healthy and what types contribute to illness. Fitness involves working with the body and how it responds to physical training, as well as encouraging others to develop their own method of exercise.

Fitness

An educational background in fitness gives you access to a variety of jobs. With the increase in people needing help with exercise regimens or rehabilitation, a fitness degree provides experience to work in many settings. A career in fitness may be in the field of sports medicine, where you are helping athletes who are training; rehabilitation or physical therapy, which involves helping others regain use of muscles or limbs that are injured; fitness instruction, including guiding people through exercise routines; or teaching others about the importance of physical education.

Nutrition

People with careers in nutrition are often dieticians or nutritional consultants. Dieticians educate people about how to make good food choices. They are involved in primary prevention of disease, teaching others how to eat to improve their health and prevent illness. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dieticians and nutritionists frequently work in facilities such as hospitals, correctional centers or schools, and jobs usually require a bachelor's degree. Some people who study nutrition gain an advanced degree or become certified to specialize in a particular area, such as community health or consulting.

Obesity

Despite the increasing number of programs focusing on good nutrition and physical fitness, obesity is still rampant within the United States. Obesity contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes and, according to Mira Costa College, leads to more than 300,000 deaths each year. Many people clearly still need assistance in changing habits that improve overall health and fitness. A career in nutrition or fitness can allow you to help reduce some instances of obesity.

Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for those employed in the nutrition and fitness industries is good, and job growth is expected to continue due to an increased focus on wellness in today's society. Many businesses hire experts in nutrition or fitness to work with their employees; recognizing the benefits of health and preventable illness.

Resources

Studying for a career in fitness or nutrition can lead to several types of certification, depending on your particular interest. Some schools offer courses that lead to a certificate. For example, the Simmons School of Health Sciences offers a certificate in sports nutrition, which is designed for those who specifically want to work with athletes. Many universities, such as Oregon State University, provide Bachelor of Science degrees in various studies related to nutrition and fitness, preparing students for future careers in one of these fields.