The sedentary lifestyle coupled with immeasurable stress, strain and tensions of all kinds have given rise to a wide range of ailments and maladies. Poor eating habits and inadequate food intake are a major cause of lot of diseases. Diet plays a very crucial role in the health and well being of people and animals. A good and balanced diet improves the quality of life to a great extent. Nutrition and dietetics are related to this food and nutrition aspect of life. This field finds application in medicine, veterinary, agriculture and public health.
The Difference
Dieticians advise people on nutrition-related matters, they are qualified to modify diets in order to treat various ailments that require special diets, or advise on general diet and eating habits and modify eating patterns of overweight people, listing the nutritional supplements to include in the diet and drawing up a personalised food plan to ensure that individual dietary requirements are met, all this to maintain all round health. Other important tasks undertaken by the dietician are:
Meal Planning i.e. deciding what foods should be eaten and in what quantities and Administration, which involves looking into the day-to-day functioning of an organisation's dining facilities.
Nutritionists include nutrition scientists and advisers. They study effect of a variety of foods on an individual in terms of metabolism and the long-term physical results. They work with both normal people as well as referrals from medical practitioners. Their work has two aspects:
Prevention of illnesses such as obesity, malnutrition or hereditary disorders and Rehabilitation - helping patients to cope with their new life and showing them how to maximise the benefits of the treatment.
Both these professionals have the knowledge of chemistry and nutritional value of foods and their preparation; they develop new uses of food, advise patients in a clinic regarding their diet, serve as consultants to public health teams, supervise the serving of food in industrial cafeterias or hospitals, assist individuals or groups in dietary education and teach nursing schools, colleges and universities.
Other Work Areas
Institutional Food Administration: This deals with food administration in hotels, hospitals, colleges, industrial plants, armed forces and so on. Work involves estimation and purchase of food supplies and equipment; receiving, checking and taking inventories of provisions; supervision of the chef and other kitchen hands to ensure that food is properly cooked and served; and menu planning.
Therapeutic Nutrition: You'll work mainly in hospitals or private clinics. With a little help from the doctor you'll draw up special menus for patients suffering from diabetes, ulcers, heart disease, tuberculosis, etc. The menu is first discussed with both the physician and the patient, to explain the purpose of the diet, discover food preferences and prepare the patient for continuing the diet at home. The point is to prepare a daily meal pattern that combines the patient's food habits with remedial needs. You'll also keep records of patients-responses to new diets.
Clinical Dietetics: differs slightly from therapeutic nutrition, in that it concerns patients who are not hospitalised, but are referred to the clinic by a physician. They include expectant mothers, and people suffering from obesity or other nutritional problems who are taught to understand and use diet effectively
Public Health Nutrition: involves working with para-medics in rural and semi-urban areas for giving advice and guidance to expectant mothers for pre-natal and post-natal care with regard to diet and hygiene.
Community Nutrition: is a part of the Government Health Scheme which handles the nutritional needs and shortcoming of the concerned.
Food Technology: is widely applied in the food industry, where nutritionists are employed at various levels in the development, manufacture and making of food products.
Qualifications
Those aspiring for a career in Nutrition and Dietetics should have a preliminary knowledge in biology, biochemistry, and physiology as well as the sociological and psychological dimensions of human nutrition.
A dietician should preferably complete the three year B.Sc (Food Science and Nutrition) course and then the two year M.Sc (Nutrition), course after graduation. Preferable fields of graduation before doing these courses are Microbiology, Chemistry, Home Science, Medicine, Hotel Management or Catering Technology.
Eligibility:
* Postgraduate diploma in Dietetics and Public Health Nutrition (DDPHN) requires B.Sc. in Home Science (10+2+3 scheme) from a recognised university, with 50 per cent marks in the aggregate and 50 per cent or above marks in the aggregate in foods and nutrition, physiology and biochemistry. Selection is based on merit and three months internship is compulsory.
* For M.Sc. Home Science (Food and Nutrition) the requirement is same as DDPHN and 55% marks aggregate in foods and nutrition, food science, biochemistry, nutrition and the family, in the Honours course, in the Pass course, food science, biochemistry and nutrition and dietetics. After Post graduation, you can pursue a three year PhD course and research on food and nutrition.
Fresh dieticians usually undergo training for one year in the Food & Beverages department of the hospital. After 5-10 years of experience, dieticians usually become consultants and run the dietetics department.
Training
It is a mixture of theory and practice. Academic subjects studied include human nutrition and dietetics, food and catering studies, sociology and psychology, biochemistry physiology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and medicine. Just as important, you will acquire interviewing and communication skills, and study management to equip you for the responsibility you will have as a qualifieddietician.
Prospects
There are ample opportunities for nutritionists and dieticians in hospitals, health and recreation clubs, canteens, schools, colleges, Research Institutions, Pharmaceutical Firms, Food Manufacturing Companies government agencies, and clinics etc. Students can also make career in research field especially in the biomedical and nutritional biochemistry fields as well as in business-related opportunities in sales, marketing, customer service, employee wellness, human resources and general management.
Remuneration
Nutritionists & Dieticians are associated with richer section of the society. Hence there is no limitation to earnings. One who works in private hospitals as trainee may get starting salary of Rs.5000 per month and after gaining one year or more experience the salary may go up to Rs.10,000. Professionals working in research field, teaching or in food manufacturing units earn handsome salary along with other perks and benefits. However, Consultant dieticians in private practice earn much more depending on their skills and reputation.
Study Here
1. Goa College Of Home Science
Dayanand Bandodkar Road, Opposite Parade Ground
Campal, Panjim - Goa, 403 001
Tel.: 0832 - 2227603
E-mail: College: principalgchs@rediffmail.com
2. St. Xavier's College, Mapusa, Goa (IGNOU Course )
Tel: (0832)-2262356/ 2250705
Tel: (0832)-2262356/ 2250705
3. Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science
49, New Marine Lines, Mumbai- 400 020
Phone: 022-22076503 Fax: 22003217
Email: nnchsc@mtnl.net.in / info@nirmalaniketan.com
4. Sophia Shree B.K. Somani Polytechnic
Bhulabhai Desai Road
Mumbai - 400 026 INDIA
Telephone: 022- 2351 3157, 2351 4147
Fax: 022- 2351 5596
Website: www.sophiacampus.com
5. SNDT Women's University,
Mumbai Church Gate Campus
Nathibai Thavkersey Road, New Marine Lines, Mumbai, 400020
Tel Nos. (022)22031879/ 22032159/ 22032328/ 22032025, FAX: 22018226
Mumbai JUHU Campus
Sir Vithaldas Vidyavihar, JUHU Road, Santacruz (West), Mumbai 400049
Tel: (022)26608493/ 26608462/ 26604164/ 26606648/ 126603961, FAX: 2660 4759
Pune Campus
Maharshi Karve Vidyavihar, Karve Road, Pune 411038
Tel No. (020) - 2542 678/ 25432097 FAX: 2544 7336
Website: http://www.sndthsc.com
Emails: principal@sndthsc.com cmc@sndthsc.com enquiry@sndthsc.com
6. University of Mumbai
M.G. Road, Fort
Mumbai-400 032
Fort Campus: (022)2265 2819 / 2265 2825
Kalina Campus: (022) 2652 6091 / 2652 6388.
Website: http://www.mu.ac.in/
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