Dietitians are nutrition experts who plan and implement food programs to improve health, prevent diseases, and promote healthy eating across various settings, such as hospitals and schools. They specialize in several areas including clinical nutrition, community health, corporate nutrition, and management, providing tailored advice and programs for diverse populations. Their roles encompass patient care, consultancy, community outreach, food industry collaboration, research, and sports nutrition to enhance overall well-being.

1. Dietitian-Types, responsibilities and Roles
By: Pramod Machimada Appaiah
pramodmachimada@gmail.com

2.  A dietitian plans nutrition programs and food
programs for people.
 Dietitians can help prevent diseases and obesity
problems by teaching people about the role of food
in their diet.

3.  They run food programs in institutions, such
as hospitals and schools.
 A dietitian promotes healthy diets through
education and education programs.

4. Types and responsibilities of Dietitians:
1. Clinical dietitians
 Clinical dietitians provide medical nutrition therapy
(MNT) for patients in institutions such as hospitals and
nursing care facilities.
 They assess patients’ nutritional needs, develop and
implement nutrition programs and evaluate and report
the results.
 They confer with doctors and other health care
professionals in order to coordinate medical and dietary
needs.

5.  Some clinical dietitians specialize in the
management of overweight and critically ill
patients, such as those with renal (kidney)
disease and diabetes.
 In addition, clinical dietitians in nursing care
facilities, small hospitals, or correctional
facilities may manage the food service
department.

6. 2. Community dietitians/ Nutritionists
 Community dietitians develop nutrition programs
designed to prevent disease and promote health,
targeting particular groups of people.
 Dietitians in this practice area may work in
settings such as public health clinics, fitness
centers, corporate wellness programs or home
health agencies.

7. 3. Corporate dietitians
 Corporate dietitians work in food
manufacturing, advertising and marketing.
 In these areas, dietitians analyze foods,
prepare literature for distribution, or report
on issues such as the nutritional content of
recipes, dietary fiber or vitamin
supplements.

8. 4. Management dietitians
 Management dietitians oversee large-scale meal
planning and preparation in health care facilities,
company cafeterias, prisons and schools.
 They hire, train and direct other dietitians and
food service workers; budget for and purchase
food, equipment, and supplies; enforce sanitary
and safety regulations; and prepare records and
reports.

9. 5. Consultant dietitians
 Consultant dietitians work under contract with
health care facilities or in their own private
practice.
 They perform nutrition assessments for their clients
and advise them about diet-related concerns, such
as weight loss or cholesterol reduction.

10.  Some work for wellness programs, sports
teams, supermarkets and other nutrition-
related businesses.
 They consult with food service managers,
providing expertise in sanitation, safety
procedures, menu development, budgeting
and planning.

11. Roles of Dietitians:
1. Role in Patient care –
 Dietitians in hospitals and nursing homes educate
patients and family members on eating well.
 They adapt menus for people recovering from
illness or surgery, or with health conditions like:
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Swallowing difficulties
• Poor appetite

12. 2. Role in Private practice and consultancy –
 Dietitians work with individuals, groups and
organisations to provide dietary advice.
 They run health and nutrition education
programs and seminars.
 They may also provide nutrition and health
information to the media

13. 3. Role in Community and public health –
 Dietitians work to improve eating habits, health
and wellbeing in the community. (They often
work in community health centres).
 They also work at state or national levels to
influence food policy and improve access to
better food choices for everyone

14. 4. Role in Food industry –
 In the food industry, dietitians work to:
• Improve the nutritional quality of foods
• Develop nutrition education campaigns
• Promote food safety
• Work with food law and regulations.

15. 5. Role in Research and teaching –
 Dietitians investigate the links between
food and health.
 They do this to learn how diet can promote
good health and prevent disease.
 Dietitians also teach in universities

16. 6. Role in Sports nutrition –
 Dietitians help athletes, sporting clubs, children
and people interested in fitness to eat better.
 They do this to help them achieve their sporting
and fitness goals.
 For example, they may give advice on how to
achieve peak sporting performance, or improve
energy and activity levels.

17. THANK YOU