Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Formation	1917
Legal status	Foundation
Purpose/focus	Nutrition
Headquarters	Chicago, IL, U.S.
Region served	United States
Main organ	Board of Delgates
Budget	$34 million in 2011[1]
Website	eatright.org

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the United States' largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, with close to 72,000 members. After nearly 100 years as the American Dietetic Association (ADA), the organization officially changed its name to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (A.N.D.) in 2012.^[2] The organization’s members are primarily registered dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians as well as many researchers, educators, students, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, clinical and community dietetics professionals, consultants and food service managers.^[3]

The Academy’s stated mission is "Empowering members to be the nation's food and nutrition leaders" and its organizational vision is "Optimizing the nation's health through food and nutrition."^[4]

Origins

The Academy was founded in 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio, by a group of women led by Lenna F. Cooper and the Academy's first president, Lulu C. Graves, who were dedicated to helping the government conserve food and improve public health during World War I.^[5] It is now headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.^[6]

The original mission of the Academy was in part to help make maximal use of America's food resources during wartime.^[7] In its first year, the Academy attracted 58 members.^[8] It remained a small organization, remaining under the 1,000 member mark until the 1930s.^[8] As the group's scope expanded, so did its membership numbers. Between the 1930s and 1960s, membership skyrocketed to more than than 60,000.^[8] Growth trajectory has since stabilized, and the Academy marked its 70,000th member when a female dietitian in Texas rejoined the Academy in May 2009.^[8] Since its founding in 1917, the Academy has gained members in every decade.^[8]

In 1973, the Academy created “National Nutrition Week.” The theme the first year was "Invest in Yourself...Buy Nutrition.”^[9] On May 9th, 2010, the AND proclaimed “Registered Dietetcian Day” to honor the “indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and to recognize RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.”^[1] The association also sponsors “National Nutrition Month” in March in the U.S.^[10]

According to current Academy president Sylvia Escott Stump, the group changed their name to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2012 to reflect the scientific and academic expertise of its members.^[11]

Finances and Organization

In 2011, the Academy had disclosed net assets of $44 million, the bulk of which was in cash and investments.^[1] It took in $11M in annual membership dues, and an additional $5M in registration and examination fees. In 2011, it took in $33.9 million in revenue on expenses of $34.8M for a slight operating loss of $875,000. Due to successful investments, it posted a surplus of $6M for the 2011 fiscal year and $4.6M for 2010.^[1] In the same year, they received $1.2 million in corporate sponsorships from companies like General Mills, Coca Cola and PepsiCo via donations, joint initiatives, and programs.^[12]

The Academy has offices both in Chicago and Washington DC. In addition to the Academy, the organization maintains several other organizations and entities, including the Commission on Dietetic Registration, Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, Dietetic Practice Groups, Academy Political Action Committee, and Academy Foundation. There are also several “member interest groups” which include more than 1,600 members with common interests or specialties including Fifty Plus in Nutrition and Dietetics; Filipino Americans in Dietetics and Nutrition; Muslims in Dietetics and Nutrition; and National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition.^[1]

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation

In 1966, the Academy established the Foundation as a 501(C)(3) public charity. According to its mission statement, the Foundation is the “only charitable organization devoted exclusively to promoting good nutrition.” Its mission is to advance public health and nutrition with focus on three initiatives: scholarships, Healthy Weight for Kids and food and nutrition research.^[13]

In 2011, the Foundation had charitable contributions and revenues of $4.23 million dollars, of which $1.7 million went to program expenses, $540,000 went to administrative expenses, and $289,000 went to fund raising expenses. Its executive director, Mary Beth Whalen, is paid $150,000 per year. These figures earned the Foundation a 60.95/70 score by CharityNavigator.com (four stars for transparency, three stars for its financials).^[13]

In 2011, the Foundation received corporate contributions totaling around $1.2 million from organizations such as Nestle, Kellog, Mars, Inc Coca Cola and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association^[14], as well as a $500,000 donation industrial food giant General Mills to promote healthy eating for kids.^[15]

Influence and positions

Through its research journal, the Academy shapes and influences the public and legislative discussion about health, food safety and nutrition. Academy RD’s are regularly quoted in world publications such as New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times Men’s Fitness, O Magazine, Consumer Reports, Forbes and Huffington Post. In 2010, the organization received approximately 30 billion media impressions.^[16]

As an organization and research institute, the Academy holds a variety of influential health positions, including:

• The Academy "maintains that the only way to lose weight is through a healthy, well-balanced diet and exercise."^[17]

• The Academy’s stated position is that “there are no good or bad foods, only good and bad diets.” According to the Academy such labeling or “bumpers” confuse the public.^[18]

• The Academy states that "exclusive breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and health protection for the first 6 months of life and breastfeeding with complementary foods from 6 months until at least 12 months of age is the ideal feeding pattern for infants."^[19]

• The Academy "believes that up to two servings of soy per day for adults could be part of a healthy diet."^[20]

• The Academy has stated that a "well planned vegan diet" (no meat, dairy or animal products) is appropriate and healthy for babies.^[21]

• The Academy states that to combat the obesity epidemic, adults and children need access to healthy foods, education on eating well, and preventative health services, including counseling by registered dietitians.^[22][23] They supports the White House and Michelle Obama’s efforts to end the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation.^[24]

• The Academy opposed mandated labeling of "trans fats" on food packaging.^[25]

• The Academy has given low ratings to the high-protein no-carb diet (known as the Atkins Diet), insisting that the diet is "unhealthy and the weight loss is temporary."^[26] The Academy maintains that carbohydrates are not responsible for weight gain.^[27]

Research and Publications

The Academy publishes position papers on public health regarding pediatric (children's) health, food technology, food safety, geriatrics (elderly) health, health-care reform, obesity and the full range of food and nutrition topics through the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ANDJ). Considered the “premier” scholarly nutritional journal, it is a monthly peer-reviewed publication involved in the dietetics field, with original research, critical reviews, and reports on dietetics and human nutrition.^[28] In 2012, its name changed along with the organization, becoming the "Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics."^[28]

The Academy has also published 3 editions of the “bestselling, award-winning” 668-page book American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide.^[29] Through its publishing arm, the Academy has published such books and guides as Easy Gluten-Free, ADA Pocket Guide to Eating Disorders, ADA Pocket Guide to Lipid Disorders, Hypertension, Diabetes and Weight Management, ADA Quick Guide to Drug-Supplement Interactions and Making Nutrition Your Business.^[1] It also maintains the site eatright.org.

In the 1980’s, the Academy published the magazine Food/2 which had originally been created by the Department of Agriculture. In response pressure from meat, egg, and dairy industries, the Department of Agriculture decided not publish it, after which the Academy negotiated with the government to publish it itself, omitting the controversial chapters on fat and cholesterol.^[30] The decision was widely criticized, with participating dietitians stating "it is just incredible that they would publish it without the most important part."^[30]

Certification

The AND certification process offers two career options: Registered Dietitian (RD) and Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR). Both are educated nutrition professionals qualified to work in hospitals, academia and private practice, and differ mostly in the hours of training and level of college degree required. A Registered Dietitian must complete a bachelor's degree or higher and more than 900 hours of training, while a Dietetic Technician is required to complete and associate level degree and 450 hours of training.^[31] About 72% of the AND’s members are Registered Dietitians, and 2% are Dietetic Technicians.^[3] Members are granted these accredited titles by fulfilling the AND’s strenuous certification requirements in addition to any state or local regulations. Through its ADAF foundation, the AND issued nearly $500,000 in certification scholarships in 2011, $100,000 of which went to doctoral students.^[1]

The terms “Registered Dietitian” and “Dietetic Technician” are “legally protected titles” and can be used only by someone who has completed coursework approved by the AND.^[32][33] In recent years, the AND has lobbied for stricter regulation over the professional licensing of dietitian and nutrition professionals and supported state regulations that would include heavy fines for the dispensing of nutritional advice without the proper license.^[34][35]

AND's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) is the organization’s accrediting agency for education programs that prepare individuals for careers as dietetics professionals. In 2011, CADE changed its name to Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).^[36] The Accreditation Council is recognized by the Department of Education and is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors. The council’s fees earn the AND about $1.1 million dollars per year.^[37]

Registered Dietitian (RD)

According to the AND, a Registered Dietitian is a “is a food and nutrition expert” who has fulfilled the minimum requirements for the titled RD.^[31]

Requirements include the following items:

• Earning a bachelor’s degree with course work approved by AND’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.
• Completing an accredited, supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or foodservice corporation.
• Passing a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• Completing continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
• In addition to the costs of the college coursework, the AND charges a $200 application fee for registered dietitians.^[38]

Approximately 50% of RDs hold advanced degrees. Some RDs also hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support and diabetes education.^[3] In addition to any AND requirements (and often with some overlap), many states have laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners.^[4]

Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR)

According to the AND, DTRs are “a food and nutrition practitioner” who has fulfilled the minimum requirements for the title DTR.^[31]

These requirements, while similar to an RD, differ in that they require:

• A minimum of an Associate's degree.
• At least 450 hours of supervised practice accredited by CADE.
• Successful pass a national DTR examination administered by CDR.
• Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

DTR’s typically work closely with RD in numerous employment settings such as hospitals, health care facilities, private practice, day care centers, correctional facilities and weight loss centers.^[31] The AND application fee to become an DTR is $120.^[39]

Professional educational programs

The Academy's Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education as the accrediting agency for education programs that prepare dietetics professionals. ACEND accredits and approves more than 600 undergraduate and graduate didactic, dietetic technician and supervised practice programs.

Lobbying efforts and competitive protections

To help better communications with the US government, the AND has offices in Washington, DC. They also operates their own political action committee, the AND Political Action Committee.^[1] The AND spent $5.8 million lobbying at the state and national level from 2000-2010.^[40][41]

The AND has sponsored bills in 40 states stating that makes it illegal for anyone except a Registered Dietitian, DTR or someone who has fulfilled the state requirements that are substantially similar to the AND’s guidelines to practice or dispense nutritional advice, in some cases even if they hold a Masters or a PhD in nutrition.^[42][43] In addition to supporting legislation regulating the professional nutrition field in states like Colorado, Wyoming, Hawaii, New Jersey and New York, the AND has also applied for patents for its certification titles such as: “Certified Nutrition Coach,” “Certified Nutrition Professional,” “Registered Nutrition Professional,” and “Certified Nutrition Educator.”^[34][44] According to the AND, the purpose of this legislation is that "existing legal and regulatory constraints on practice" do not sufficiently "prevent robust, broad competition."^[34][45] As a result of these disclosures and efforts, other organizations such as the Alliance for Natural Health to accuse the AND of maneuvering for "practice exclusivity" or an anti-competitive monopoly.^[46] The AND is known to suspend the credentials of registered dietitians for advocating diets that differ from government standards and has, in the past, taken legal action against bloggers for dispensing free nutritional advice.^[47][43][48]

The AND states that by regulating who can provide nutritional counseling, they can protect their registered members and the public from unregulated advice or possibly inaccurate advice from less qualified dietary practitioners such as chiropractors, yoga instructors, homeopaths, and personal trainers.^[34] Currently, only those who have been certified by the AND may call themselves “Registered Dietitians.^[44] This legislation would make it illegal for anyone who has not fulfilled state requirements (substantially similar to AND standards) to dispense nutritional advice.^[44] In some cases, fines of up to $10,000 can be incurred by individuals who dispense such advice as part of the natural scope of their practice.^[34] As the preeminent professional society of dietitians, the AND’s support of this legislation is in the best interest of its members and their local chapters, but has generated strong opposition from other health practitioners as well as from various libertarian groups.^[34][49][47]

Academy concerns

The Academy publishes position papers on public health regarding pediatric (children's) health, food technology, food safety, geriatrics (elderly) health, health-care reform, obesity and the full range of food and nutrition topics. The Academy also sponsors National Nutrition Month each March in the U.S. To help better communications with the US government, the Academy has offices in Washington, DC.

Kids Eat Right

AND and the ADA Foundation launched their first joint initiative, Kids Eat Right, in November 2010. This member-driven campaign is dedicated to supporting the efforts of the White House to end the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation.^[24] Kids Eat Right is a two-tiered campaign aimed to mobilize AND members to participate in community and school childhood obesity prevention efforts, and also to educate families, communities, and policy makers about the importance of quality nutrition.

Kids Eat Right has a website that gives families healthy eating tips, articles, videos, and recipes from registered dietitians.^[50]

Controversy concerning the AND

The AND has been criticized for its connections to the pharmaceutical industry, including an inquiry from Senator Chuck Grassley.^[51][52]

In 1982, the organization faced mass resignations from members over a decision to support Reagan’s cuts in food stamps and school lunch programs.^[30] The decision was largely a political trade off; the Reagan administration agreed to drop its proposal to deregulate nursing homes in exchange for the AND’s support of the school lunch and food stamp cuts.^[30]

In 2012, the AND accused paleo blogger Steve Cooksey, who cured his diabetes with a paleo diet, of dispensing nutritional advice without a license.^[53][54] This led some to accuse the AND of trying to make paleo-blogging, or nutritional blogging altogether, "illegal."^[55][56][47]

Critics have ascribed some of the AND’s more controversial positions such as their opposition to the "low carb diet," and more directly, their position that carbohydrates are not responsible for weight gain to the AND’s connection to food manufacturers.^[57][58][59]

Criticism of partnerships with food companies

In 2011, the AND received corporate contributions totaling around $1.2 million.^[60] This funding usually makes up between 10-15% of the AND’s budget.^[18] The funding comes from companies like McDonalds, PepsiCo, Abbott Nutrition, General Mills, Kellogg's, Mars, McNeil Nutritionals, SOYJOY, Truvia and Unilever.^[18] The AND also partners with ConAgra Foods, which produces Orville Redenbacker, Slim Jims, Hunt’s Ketchup, SnackPacks, and Hebrew National hot dogs, to maintain the American Dietetic Association/ConAgra Foods Home Food Safety...It's in Your Hands program.^[61] Additionally, the AND earns revenue from corporations by selling space at its booth during conventions, doing this for soft drinks and candy makers.^[18][62]

The AND maintains that being at the "same table" with food companies is important in order to exert a positive influence over their products and message, although critics describe this as an “unhealthy alliance” between the AND and junk food companies.^[62][63] The accusation is that despite what good may come of such programs, it ultimately whitewashes (similar to the greenwashing efforts of environmentally irresponsible companies) the brand’s role in the country’s food ecosystem. Watchdogs note that the AND rarely criticizes food companies, believing it to be out of fear of "biting the hand that feeds them."^[64][65][66] Nutrition experts claim that as long as the AND partners with the makers of food and beverage products, “its opinions about diet and health will never be believed [to be] independent.”^[62]

Additional publications

The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (JADA)^[67] is a monthly peer-reviewed publication involved in the dietetics field, with original research, critical reviews, and reports on dietetics and human nutrition.

References

External links

• American Dietetic Association official site
• American Dietetic Association official spokesperson blog
• American Dietetic Association official peer-reviewed journal
• American Dietetic Association Commission on Dietetic Registration
• American Dietetic Association Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education
• American Dietetic Association Foundation
• Association Forum article detailing ADA's efforts to fight obesity problem.