Nurturing a Taste for Healthy Choices

Need for dietitians is growing along with schools' child nutrition programs

"There is a huge demand for dietitians in the field of child nutrition programs," said Christina Smith, nutrition services manager at Dallas Independent School District. Districts often hire registered and licensed dietitians such as Ms. Smith. Others use independent contractors in this role.

"It is becoming more and more common to find districts that employ full-time dietitians," said Fred Higgins, assistant commissioner of food and nutrition at the Texas Department of Agriculture in Austin. The dietitians assist not only with menu planning but also in doing nutrient analyses for school menus, and they provide nutrition education to students, staff, administration and the community, he said. The need also has increased for professional chefs, quality assurance specialists and other school food service workers. They're all working toward the same goal – healthy choices.

At various grade levels, menu planning involves a blend of innovation and persistence. DISD uses turkey in numerous items to reduce fat content. French fries are low-fat and in elementary schools, they are always baked. Irving Independent School District has eliminated many simple carbohydrates such as white rice, white bread and sugar, while adding whole grains daily. It also has cut back more than 25 percent on canned and frozen fruits and vegetables.

According to the US Department of Labor, dietitians and nutritionists need at least a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, food service systems management, or a related area. College students in these majors take courses in foods, nutrition, institution management, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, and physiology. Other suggested courses include business, mathematics, statistics, computer science, psychology, sociology, and economics.

Of the 46 States and jurisdictions with laws governing dietetics, 31 require licensure, 14 require certification, and 1 requires registration. Since requirements vary by State, interested students should determine the requirements of the State in which they want to work before sitting for any exam. Although not required, the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) awards the Registered Dietitian credential to those who pass an exam after completing their academic coursework and supervised experience. As of 2004, there were about 227 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs approved by the ADA’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE).

Dallas ISD adheres strictly to guidelines from the Texas Department of Agriculture and National School Lunch Program. "We are actively leading the way to reverse trends of adult-related diseases in children, like obesity, diabetes and heart disease, by offering healthy food choices and providing nutrition education," said Ms. Smith, 27, who has a master's degree in nutrition and is certified in childhood and adolescent weight management.

Pay scales depend on many factors, such as the level of expertise in food service, nutrition education and community programs, said Mr. Higgins, of the agriculture department. Wages also may vary according to the size and number of schools within a district. Irving's Mr. Rosenberger, 39, who has bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration, estimates that wages for consulting dietitians can be $50 an hour or more. For full-time positions, Ms. Smith tells dietetic interns to expect a starting salary between $35,000 and $40,000 in schools, which is higher than what many hospitals and other employers offer at the entry level. "Child nutrition programs can be a great career for dietitians," she said. "It allows you to promote wellness. Also, you never work the major holidays."

According to the United States Department of Labor citing the American Dietetic Association, “median annualized wages for registered dietitians in 2005 varied by practice area as follows: $53,800 in consultation and business; $60,000 in food and nutrition management; $60,200 in education and research; $48,800 in clinical nutrition/ambulatory care; $50,000 in clinical nutrition/long-term care; $44,800 in community nutrition; and $45,000 in clinical nutrition/acute care. Salaries also vary by years in practice, education level, geographic region, and size of the community.”

For a list of academic programs, scholarships, and other information about dietetics, contact: The American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995.

Source: Dallas Morning News, Susan Kreimer, 11/5/7