Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

Government and Public Policy

To help fulfill their mission, the ADA began an

advocacy network based in Washington, D.C. This

government affairs office negotiates with state and

federal legislators and agencies on public policy issues

that affect the public and the scope of dietetics.

Through their efforts the ADA has influenced Medi-

care coverage of medical nutrition therapy; child

nutrition;obesity; the Dietary Guidelines for Ameri-

cans and other health and nutrition concerns.

The American Dietetic Association

Foundation (ADAF)

The ADAF was established in 1966 as a 501(C)(3)

public charity and is the philanthropic arm of the

American Dietetic Association. They provide money

for research, education and public awareness pro-

grams. The Foundation’s primary focus is for funding

of scholarships for nutrition and dietetic students,

supporting food and nutrition research and to be a

leader in promoting and achieving healthy weight for

children, and helping to reduce the growing prevalence

ofchildhood obesity. To do this, their mission is to

fund the future of the dietetics profession through

research and education. They are the largest grantor

of scholarships in the nutrition and dietetic fields by

awarding graduate, undergraduate and continuing

education scholarships.

A 13-member board of directors that includes the

President-Elect, Financial Officer and CEO of the

American Dietetic Association as well as up to five

public members governs the ADA Foundation. They

have an operating budget over $7 million in endowed

support for their causes and operations. Both individ-

uals and industry have donated these funds. Approx-

imately $1.4 million of the operating budget goes to

support fundraising and grant making activities.

Credentialing

The ADA is involved in the process for accredited

education programs for RD’s and DTR’s. They also

are affiliated with the Commission on Dietetic Regis-

tration who oversees the registration of dietitians and

diet technicians.

The development of a accreditation process was

incorporated into the ADA to serve the publics best

interest by creating and enforcing eligibility require-

ments and accreditation standards that ensure the

quality and continued improvement of nutrition and

dietetics education programs. The Commission on

Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) was

formed and is ADA’s accrediting agency for education

programs that prepare dietetic students for careers as

nutrition professionals. Recognized by the United

States Department of Education and the Council for

Higher Education Accreditation, CADE is a reliable

authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics

education programs. All dietetic programs meeting

their standards are accredited through CADE.

What is a Registered Dietitian?

A registered dietitian (RD) is a professional who

has met academic training in the areas of food

and nutrition. The requirements needed are:

Bachelor’s degree with course work approved by

ADA’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics

Education. Coursework typically includes food and

nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management,

business, economics, computer science, sociology, bio-

chemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.

Completion of an accredited, supervised, experien-

tial practice program at a health-care facility, com-

munity agency or foodservice corporation.

Pass a national examination administered by the

Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Complete continuing professional educational

requirements to maintain registration.

Some RDs hold additional certifications in speci-

alized areas of practice, such as pediatric orrenal

nutritionand diabetes education.

What is a Dietetic Technician, Registered?

Dietetic technicians, registered, (DTRs) must

complete a two-year associate’s degree in an approved

dietetic technician program, have supervised practice

experience and pass a nationwide examination admin-

istered by the ADA to earn the DTR credential and

must complete continuing education courses through-

out their careers.

The Commission on Dietetic Registration

The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

is the overseer of the Registered Dietitian (RD); Die-

tetic Technician, Registered (DTR); Board Certified

Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR); and Board Certi-

fied Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (CSP); Board

Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) and

Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition

(CSG). Since the credentialing process began, over

78,000 dietitians and dietetic technicians worldwide

have taken the CDR exams.

American Dietetic Association