With Centers for Disease Control statistics estimating that as many as 72 million Americans are considered obese, jobs in the health and wellness field that include a weight-loss component are growing in both availability and importance. One area of this field in particular is nutrition, more specifically the roles of nutritionists and dietitians.
Job Description
Those who work in the field of nutrition focus on helping the clients they work with make better food choices in order to develop a healthier lifestyle. This can mean several different things, including designing meal plans, taking part in dietary research, supervising the preparation of meals and teaching classes on subjects such as reducing cholesterol and salt in meals, eating proper portion sizes, and even simpler things such as how to grocery shop for healthy foods. In the nutrition field you may work directly with individuals or create guidelines for entire organizations, depending on where you can secure employment.
Undergraduate Education
When looking at going certified in the field of nutrition, you should seek an undergraduate degree in food and nutrition, food science or dietetics to gain a firm foundation in the general knowledge needed for the field. The American Dietetic Association's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education has given approval to at least 279 different bachelors degree programs, giving you a wide range of options for school choice. An undergraduate degree in these areas may help you secure an entry level job in nutrition, but typically a masters degree is needed for movement into supervisory or management positions.
Licensing and Certification
As of 2010, 46 states require some sort of licensing or certification. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 33 states have licensing requirements, 12 states have statutory certification and one state has a registration requirement. Typically, you'll attempt to meet these licensing and certification requirements by sitting for a state-supplied test that covers the general knowledge you'll need to work in nutrition. Research the state requirements for the state you plan to work in before sitting for any test to ensure you will have the correct certification, or that the state will accept licenses or certifications from other states.
Job Locations
Those with a degree in the nutrition field can find employment in a wide variety of places. Traditionally, dietitians and nutritionists have found jobs in hospitals, private practices, nursing facilities and outpatient centers. Other possible locations for jobs include health departments, correctional facilities and physicians' offices.
Job Outlook
In 2008 there were approximately 60,300 jobs in the field of dietetics and nutrition, with an average employment growth expected, suggests the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With the current changes in healthcare as well as the continued focus on disease prevention and reducing obesity in the United States, there will certainly be many jobs available for well-trained individuals in this field.
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