Dietetics

views updated May 23 2018

DIETETICS

DIETETICS. Dietetics is the integration and application of principles derived from several disciplinesincluding nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, food science and composition, management, food service, and the behavioral and social sciencesto achieve and optimize human health. Dietetic professionals translate the scientific evidence regarding human nutrition and use that information to help shape the food intake or choices of the public (ADA, 2002).

Dietetic professionals work with individuals and groups of all ages to assess nutritional health and provide recommendations and therapies to assist individuals, groups, and populations in achieving a diet based on scientific evidence. The diet is generally a variety of foods but may include supplements and tube or parenteral feedings. Nutrient needs vary based on age, genetics, body composition, health status, and lifestyle. Dietetic professionals specialize in different aspects of care: They serve as translators of nutrition science to the public, as specialists in business and industry, as advocates to change food policy, as managers of food operations, as educators and researchers, and as clinicians in many different settings.

Education of Dietetic Practitioners

The majority of dietetics professionals are registered dietitians (R.D.s) and members of the American Dietetic Association. These individuals have various job titles including but not limited to dietitian, nutritionist, medical nutrition therapist, food service director, and public health or community nutritionist. The R.D. signifies that the individual has completed an academic education leading to at least a B.S. in dietetics, with coursework in nutrition, social sciences, biological sciences, and food science, along with a planned clinical experience conducted under supervision for at least six months, and has passed a national credentialing examination. The credentialing examination for the R.D. was introduced in 1969. The education and clinical experience components were first established in 1927. In 2002, about 41 percent of R.D.s had master's degrees and about 4 percent had doctorates (Bryk and Soto).

Established in the early 1980s, a two-year credential as a dietetic technician registered (D.T.R.) involves the same three-prong approach of education, experience, and examination. The D.T.R. functions clinically under the supervision of an R.D., and often manages a food-service operation. The D.T.R. has a more limited scientific education, but has similar management skills. The accreditation of entry-level dietetics programs is done by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education, and the credentialing is under the Commission on Dietetic Registration. In 2002 there were about 75,000 R.D.s or D.T.R.s in the United States.

The Evolution of Dietetic Professionals

The American Dietetic Association was founded in 1917. Its immediate goal was to assist in the feeding of World War I soldiers and to "benefit as many as possible." At that time, preventing deficiencies and providing enough food to support health were key goals. The feeding of institutionalized patients in hospitals and sanitariums quickly followed, as well as the provision of diet therapy for conditions such as diabetes mellitus and nephritis. In the 1940s, recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) were introduced, setting a standard in gauging what to feed groups; the RDAs were established to feed populations, not individuals. At the same time, the role of diet therapy was expanding. By the 1960s, understanding of the role of nutrition in the treatment of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease was emerging. Dietetic professionals were designing formulas for feeding patients via tubes and evaluating the composition and consistency of commercial tube-feedings that were beginning to be introduced.

In the 1970s the role of dietetic professionals expanded to include assessing the nutritional health of hospitalized patients and recommending feeding based on this assessment. Dietetic professionals began to educate the public on the use of food labeling to encourage eating properly, and to place emphasis on the use of nutrition to prevent chronic disease. Programs such as WIC (the federal Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program) expanded the dietetic practitioners' role in women's and children's health. During the 1970s roles for dietetic practitioners diversified, with dietitians working in dialysis centers, in rehabilitation, in marketing and public relations firms, and for food companies. Within the American Dietetic Association, practice groups formed to meet needs in specialty areas, for example, taking consulting roles in long-term care facilities and nutrition support roles in hospitals. During the 1980s roles continued to expand, and specialty credentials in diabetes, nutrition support, renal care, and pediatrics were introduced. The 1990s saw an expansion into outpatient care, expanding private-practice opportunities, and a movement to cross-train and become multiskilled.

Medicare part B reimbursement for nutrition counseling of nondialysis renal patients and individuals with diabetes mellitus was introduced in January 2002. It is anticipated that reimbursement would expand to cover counseling for other conditions. Private insurance coverage for medical nutrition therapy is also increasing as proper diet and lifestyle are recognized as key elements in maintaining or enhancing the health of the American public. The role of the dietetic professional continues in managing disease, has expanded in prevention, and will expand to include forecasting disease as the impact of genetics research reaches health care. As Americans eat out more and purchase more prepared foods, the role of the dietitian in dining establishments and supermarkets should expand.

The early twenty-first century is witnessing a focus on enhancing well-being and physical strength and stamina through nutrition. The dietetics profession promotes a total-diet approach to nutrition, with balance, variety, and moderation key to successful nutrition health. The newest aspects of dietetic and nutrition counseling include functional foods (that is, foods that are modified to provide a health benefit beyond the food's traditional nutrients) to enhance health, the use of dietary supplements, and the integration of alternative products such as botanicals. Dietetic practitioners assist individuals in determining if products are beneficial, whether research has been too limited to be determinative, or if the products may in fact be detrimental. Opportunities for research on the value of these products in promoting health abound. With technological advances in data collection and storage, better analysis of dietary intakes should contribute to a better understanding of the role of nutrition in health and disease.

Summary

Dietetic practitioners translate the science of nutrition into practical applications for individuals, groups, and communities. This requires a solid foundation in cultural competency, including knowledge of food composition, preparation methods and cultural values associated with particular foods, and skills in the culinary arts as well as in nutrition, science, social sciences, management, and communications. Dietetic practitioners will continue to provide nutrition therapy to individuals and groups, manage the feeding of individuals and groups, provide public education, and contribute to research about the links between food, nutrition, and health. Dietetic practitioners have a major contribution to make in the public-policy debate on issues such as obesity and its prevention and management, hunger and its prevention, and genetic modification of foods. The role of dietetic professionals will expand as nutrition becomes a major focus in addressing health issues in the nation and the world.

See also Dietary Assessment; Dietary Systems; Nutrition Transition: Worldwide Diet Change; WIC (Women, Infants, and Children's) Program.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

American Dietetic Association (ADA). Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education Accreditation Handbook. Chicago: The American Dietetic Association, 2002.

American Dietetic Association (ADA). Definition of Dietetics. January 2002.

Bryk, J., and T. Soto. "Report on the 1999 Membership Database of the American Dietetic Association." Journal of the American Dietetic Association 101(8): 947, 2001.

Julie O'Sullivan Maillet

Dietetics

views updated May 23 2018

Dietetics

Definition

Dietetics professionals are responsible for educating individual clients in developing healthy life-styles, as well as for providing quality nutritional services to the public. Standards of professional practice have been developed by the American Dietetic Association to ensure that dietetics professionals are the most reliable sources of information regarding food and nutrition .

Description

Registered dietitians (RD) and dietetic technicians (DTR) receive their credentials from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, which ensures that these professionals have fulfilled all academic requirements and completed a registration examination. Dietetics professionals work in a variety of settings involving foodservice management, clinical nutrition, and community nutrition . They work to provide nutrition education classes on topics such as breastfeeding, food safety, and diet fads. They may counsel hospital patients on health-related conditions and facilitating weight loss . They are also qualified to educate the public on proper nutrition for people of all ages, including infants and the elderly.

Work settings

Registered dietitians and dietetic technicians are qualified to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes , schools, and health clinics.

In hospitals and nursing homes, dietetics professionals usually perform more clinical duties such as assessing the nutritional status of patients to aid in their treatment and recovery. They must demonstrate an understanding of a variety of nutrition topics, including calculating nutrient and tube feeding needs, and various nutrition-related diseases, such as diabetes, Crohn's disease, and cardiovascular disease. In schools, dietitians can provide services to cafeterias in helping them develop healthy meals and snacks, as well as conduct nutrition education classes for students and teachers. Dietitians also play a very prominent role in health clinics such as WIC (Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children), in which they advocate the healthy development of children by educating women on the importance of breastfeeding and infant nutrition. Many dietetics professionals also become certified as dietary managers in which they are responsible for supervising in a foodservice setting.

Education and training

To become a registered dietitian, a bachelor's or master's degree in dietetics may be received from a school that is a Coordinated Program (CP) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) in which academics and supervised practical experience are combined. A graduate of a Coordinated Program may then take the Registration Examination for Dietitians to become an RD. Individuals may also enroll in a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) that is also approved by CADE. After graduating with a bachelor's degree, the supervised practical experience may be completed either at a CADE-accredited Dietetic Internship or a CADE-approved Preprofessional Practice Program (AP4). This also qualifies the individual to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Registered dietetic technicians must receive an associate's degree from a CADE-accredited Dietetic Technician Program or a baccalaureate degree from a CADE-approved DPD. DTRs must also participate in supervised practical experience through the Dietetic Technician Program, but it is not required that they take a registration examination.

The academics involved in the undergraduate study of dietetics includes generalized courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, and management. More detailed courses are devoted to topics such as general nutrition, food science, nutritional assessment, advanced nutrition, experimental foods, and diet therapy. Undergraduate work also consists of clinical experience in work settings in which students gain a more hands-on experience in the field of dietetics. This allows students to get a new perspective on the field that goes beyond traditional teaching methods. By encouraging active participation, students will gain a better understanding of what is necessary to develop the counseling skills and research capabilities essential to dietetics.

Advanced education and training

Dietitians can further enhance their education and abilities by receiving a master's degree in dietetics or another field related to nutrition. Some CADE-accredited/approved programs also offer graduate coursework that can be completed at the same time as the dietetic internship. Dietetics professionals are also responsible for keeping up to date with the latest information regarding nutrition and utilizing the available technology that can enhance learning.

Future outlook

Dietetics is a constantly changing field in which new information is being uncovered and advances in technology are being made. While technology has become an integral part of nutrition education, it is likely to become even more prominent in years to come. Many dietitians have even designed web sites in order to market their practices. Dietitians have begun utilizing services such as email and the Internet to communicate with clients. This also allows them to communicate with people who travel or are too busy to schedule an appointment. Using the Internet to communicate with clients has its advantages as well as its disadvantages though. While it offers more flexibility for both the client and the professional and allows dietitians to reach a wide geographical range of people, it also limits dietetics professionals in accurately assessing patients because they are not seen in person.

One of the major drawbacks to using the web for nutrition information is that much of the information tends to be inaccurate or exaggerated. This will give dietetics professionals an even bigger role in working to ensure that the public is getting the most accurate and up-to-date information from the web, and has resulted in more career opportunities for dietetics professionals. Since most nutrition information comes from search engines like http://www.yahoo.com or http://www.medscape.com, these companies have begun hiring dietetics and nutrition professionals to edit content and develop appropriate health-related messages for consumers. Many dietitians also work as consultants for Web sites who may need expert advice on nutrition-related topics. With the advances in technology and development of new computer programs for nutrition education, the role of dietitians will continue to grow as the need for the most up-to-date information continues to grow.

Resources

PERIODICALS

Brehm, Bonnie J., Kathleen M. Rourke, and Cynthia Cassell. “Enhancing Didactic Education through Participation in a Clinical Research Project.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association (September 1999):1090–1093.

Palumbo, Christine. “Using New Technology for Nutrition Counseling.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association (November 1999): 1363–1364.

Sutherland, Lisa A. “Nutrition Professionals in Cyberspace: Getting Wired for the New Millennium.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association (November 1999): 1365–1366.

OTHER

“Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Careers in Dietetics.” American Dietetic Association Online April 28, 2001. http://www.eatright.org.

“Standards of Professional Practice for Dietetics Professionals.” American Dietetic Association Online April 28, 2001. http://www.eatright.org.

Lisa M. Gourley

Dietetics

views updated May 23 2018

Dietetics

Definition

Dietetics professionals are responsible for educating individual clients in developing healthy lifestyles, as well as for providing quality nutritional services to the public. Standards of professional practice have been developed by the American Dietetic Association to ensure that dietetics professionals are the most reliable sources of information regarding food and nutrition .

Description

Registered dietitians (RD) and dietetic technicians (DTR) receive their credentials from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, which ensures that these professionals have fulfilled all academic requirements and completed a registration examination. Dietetics professionals work in a variety of settings involving foodservice management, clinical nutrition, and community nutrition. They work to provide nutrition education classes on topics such as breastfeeding, food safety, and diet fads. They may counsel hospital patients on health-related conditions and facilitating weight loss. They are also qualified to educate the public on proper nutrition for people of all ages including infants and the elderly.

Work settings

Registered dietitians and dietetic technicians are qualified to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes , schools, and health clinics. In hospitals and nursing homes, dietetics professionals usually perform more clinical duties such as assessing the nutritional status of patients to aid in their treatment and recovery. They must demonstrate an understanding of a variety of nutrition topics, including calculating nutrient and tube feeding needs, and various nutrition-related diseases, such as diabetes, Crohn's disease , and cardiovascular disease. In schools, dietitians can provide services to cafeterias in helping them develop healthy meals and snacks, as well as conduct nutrition education classes for students and teachers. Dietitians also play a very prominent role in health clinics such as WIC (Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children), in which they advocate the healthy development of children by educating women on the importance of breastfeeding and infant nutrition . Many dietetics professionals also become certified as dietary managers in which they are responsible for supervising in a foodservice setting.

Education and training

To become a registered dietitian, a bachelor's or master's degree in dietetics may be received from a school that is a Coordinated Program (CP) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) in which academics and supervised practical experience are combined. A graduate of a Coordinated Program may then take the Registration Examination for Dietitians to become an RD. Individuals may also enroll in a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) that is also approved by CADE. After graduating with a bachelor's degree, the supervised practical experience may be completed either at a CADE-accredited Dietetic Internship or a CADE-approved Preprofessional Practice Program (AP4). This also qualifies the individual to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

To become a registered dietetic technician, an associate's degree must be received from a CADE-accredited Dietetic Technician Program or a baccalaureate degree from a CADE-approved DPD. DTRs must also participate in a supervised practical experience at the Dietetic Technician Program, but it is not required that they take a registration examination.

The academics involved in the undergraduate study of dietetics includes generalized courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, and management. More detailed courses are devoted to topics such as general nutrition, food science, nutritional assessment, advanced nutrition, experimental foods, and diet therapy . Undergraduate work also consists of clinical experience in work settings in which students gain a more hands-on experience in the field of dietetics. This allows students to get a new perspective on the field that goes beyond traditional teaching methods. By encouraging active participation, students will gain a better understanding of what is necessary to develop the counseling skills and research capabilities essential to dietetics.

Advanced education and training

Dietitians can further enhance their education and abilities by receiving a master's degree in dietetics or another field related to nutrition. Some CADE-accredited/approved programs also offer graduate coursework that can be completed at the same time as the dietetic internship. Dietetics professionals are also responsible for keeping up to date with the latest information regarding nutrition and utilizing the available technology that can enhance learning.

Future outlook

Dietetics is a constantly changing field in which new information is being uncovered and advances in technology are being made. While technology has become an integral part of nutrition education, it is likely to become even more prominent in years to come. Many dietitians have even designed web sites in order to market their practice. Dietitians have begun utilizing services such as email and the Internet to communicate with clients. This also allows them to communicate with people who travel or are too busy to schedule an appointment. Using the Internet to communicate with clients has its advantages as well as its disadvantages though. While it offers more flexibility for both the client and the professional and allows dietitians to reach a wide geographical range of people, it also limits dietetics professionals in accurately assessing patients because they are not seen in person.

One of the major drawbacks to using the web for nutrition information is that much of the information tends to be inaccurate or exaggerated. This will give dietetics professionals an even bigger role in working to ensure that the public is getting the most accurate and upto-date information from the web and has resulted in more career opportunities for dietetics professionals. Since most nutrition information comes from search engines like <www.yahoo.com> or <www.medscape. com>, these companies have begun hiring dietetics and nutrition professionals to edit content and develop appropriate health-related messages for consumers. Many dietitians also work as consultants for Web sites who may need expert advice on nutrition-related topics. With the advances in technology and development of new computer programs for nutrition education, the role of dietitians will continue to grow as the need for the most upto-date information continues to grow.

Resources

PERIODICALS

Brehm, Bonnie J., Rourke, Kathleen M., and Cynthia Cassell. "Enhancing Didactic Education through Participation in a Clinical Research Project." Journal of the American Dietetic Association (September 1999): 1090-1093.

Palumbo, Christine. "Using New Technology for Nutrition Counseling." Journal of the American Dietetic Association (November 1999): 1363-1364.

Sutherland, Lisa A. "Nutrition Professionals in Cyberspace: Getting Wired for the New Millennium." Journal of the American Dietetic Association (November 1999): 1365-1366.

OTHER

"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Careers in Dietetics." American Dietetic Association Online 28 April 2001. <http://www.eatright.org>.

"Standards of Professional Practice for Dietetics Professionals." American Dietetic Association Online 28 April 2001. <http://www.eatright.org>.

Lisa M. Gourley

Dietetics

views updated Jun 08 2018

Dietetics

Definition

Dietetics professionals are responsible for educating individual clients in developing healthy lifestyles, as well as for providing quality nutritional services to the public. Standards of professional practice have been developed by the American Dietetic Association to ensure that dietetics professionals are the most reliable sources of information regarding food and nutrition.

Description

Registered dietitians (RD) and dietetic technicians (DTR) receive their credentials from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, which ensures that these professionals have fulfilled all academic requirements and completed a registration examination. Dietetics professionals work in a variety of settings involving foodservice management, clinical nutrition, and community nutrition. They work to provide nutrition education classes on topics such as breastfeeding, food safety, and diet fads. They may counsel hospital patients on health-related conditions and facilitating weight loss. They are also qualified to educate the public on proper nutrition for people of all ages, including infants and the elderly.

Work settings

Registered dietitians and dietetic technicians are qualified to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and health clinics. In hospitals and nursing homes, dietetics professionals usually perform more clinical duties such as assessing the nutritional status of patients to aid in their treatment and recovery. They must demonstrate an understanding of a variety of nutrition topics, including calculating nutrient and tube feeding needs, and various nutrition-related diseases, such as diabetes, Crohn's disease, and cardiovascular disease. In schools, dietitians can provide services to cafeterias in helping them develop healthy meals and snacks, as well as conduct nutrition education classes for students and teachers. Dietitians also play a very prominent role in health clinics such as WIC (Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children), in which they advocate the healthy development of children by educating women on the importance of breastfeeding and infant nutrition. Many dietetics professionals also become certified as dietary managers in which they are responsible for supervising in a foodservice setting.

Education and training

To become a registered dietitian, a bachelor's or master's degree in dietetics may be received from a school that is a Coordinated Program (CP) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) in which academics and supervised practical experience are combined. A graduate of a Coordinated Program may then take the Registration Examination for Dietitians to become an RD. Individuals may also enroll in a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) that is also approved by CADE. After graduating with a bachelor's degree, the supervised practical experience may be completed either at a CADE-accredited Dietetic Internship or a CADE-approved Preprofessional Practice Program (AP4). This also qualifies the individual to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Registered dietetic technicians must receive an associate's degree from a CADE-accredited Dietetic Technician Program or a baccalaureate degree from a CADE-approved DPD. DTRs must also participate in supervised practical experience through the Dietetic Technician Program, but it is not required that they take a registration examination.

The academics involved in the undergraduate study of dietetics includes generalized courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, and management. More detailed courses are devoted to topics such as general nutrition, food science, nutritional assessment, advanced nutrition, experimental foods, and diet therapy. Undergraduate work also consists of clinical experience in work settings in which students gain a more hands-on experience in the field of dietetics. This allows students to get a new perspective on the field that goes beyond traditional teaching methods. By encouraging active participation, students will gain a better understanding of what is necessary to develop the counseling skills and research capabilities essential to dietetics.

Advanced education and training

Dietitians can further enhance their education and abilities by receiving a master's degree in dietetics or another field related to nutrition. Some CADE-accredited/approved programs also offer graduate coursework that can be completed at the same time as the dietetic internship. Dietetics professionals are also responsible for keeping up to date with the latest information regarding nutrition and utilizing the available technology that can enhance learning.

Future outlook

Dietetics is a constantly changing field in which new information is being uncovered and advances in technology are being made. While technology has become an integral part of nutrition education, it is likely to become even more prominent in years to come. Many dietitians have even designed web sites in order to market their practices. Dietitians have begun utilizing services such as email and the Internet to communicate with clients. This also allows them to communicate with people who travel or are too busy to schedule an appointment. Using the Internet to communicate with clients has its advantages as well as its disadvantages though. While it offers more flexibility for both the client and the professional and allows dietitians to reach a wide geographical range of people, it also limits dietetics professionals in accurately assessing patients because they are not seen in person.

One of the major drawbacks to using the web for nutrition information is that much of the information tends to be inaccurate or exaggerated. This will give dietetics professionals an even bigger role in working to ensure that the public is getting the most accurate and up-to-date information from the web, and has resulted in more career opportunities for dietetics professionals. Since most nutrition information comes from search engines like 〈www.yahoo.com〉 or 〈www.medscape.com〉, these companies have begun hiring dietetics and nutrition professionals to edit content and develop appropriate health-related messages for consumers. Many dietitians also work as consultants for Web sites who may need expert advice on nutrition-related topics. With the advances in technology and development of new computer programs for nutrition education, the role of dietitians will continue to grow as the need for the most up-to-date information continues to grow.

Resources

PERIODICALS

Brehm, Bonnie J., Rourke, Kathleen M., and Cynthia Cassell. "Enhancing Didactic Education through Participation in a Clinical Research Project." Journal of the American Dietetic Association (September 1999): 1090-1093.

Palumbo, Christine. "Using New Technology for Nutrition Counseling." Journal of the American Dietetic Association (November 1999): 1363-1364.

Sutherland, Lisa A. "Nutrition Professionals in Cyberspace: Getting Wired for the New Millennium." Journal of the American Dietetic Association (November 1999): 1365-1366.

OTHER

"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Careers in Dietetics." American Dietetic Association Online 28 April 2001. 〈http://www.eatright.org〉.

"Standards of Professional Practice for Dietetics Professionals." American Dietetic Association Online 28 April 2001. 〈http://www.eatright.org〉.

Dietetics

views updated May 14 2018

Dietetics

Dietetics is the study of food, food science, and nutrition, and of the interactions of food and nutrients in people and populations. It can also refer to the management of food service and the provision of health guidance in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, health departments, clinics, and in private practice.

The study of dietetics prepares students to apply the principles of food, nutrition, and food service management to caring for the health of individuals and groups of people. Individuals who graduate from an approved dietetics program are eligible to take the RD (registered dietitian) examination. The goal of dietetics programs, which are offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels, is to promote health and decrease disease by training health care professionals in nutrition science, thus enabling them to foster good nutritional health for individuals and diverse populations across the lifespan. These programs also provide information on health care policy and administration, delivery systems, reimbursement issues, and regulations.

see also American Dietetic Association; Careers in Dietetics; Dietetic Technician, Registered; Dietitian; Nutritionist.

Delores Truesdell

Bibliography

Payne-Palacio, June, and Canter, Deborah D. (2000). The Profession of Dietetics: A Team Approach, 2nd edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Internet Resource

American Dietetic Association. "Careers in Dietetics." Available from <http://www.eatright.org>

dietetics

views updated May 29 2018

di·e·tet·ics / ˌdī-iˈtetiks/ • pl. n. [treated as sing.] the branch of knowledge concerned with the diet and its effects on health, esp. with the practical application of a scientific understanding of nutrition.

dietetics

views updated May 23 2018

dietetics (dy-i-tet-iks) n. the application of the principles of nutrition to the selection of food and the feeding of individuals and groups. See also dietitian.
http://www.bda.uk.com Website of the British Dietetic Association

dietetics

views updated May 23 2018

dietetics The study or prescription of diets under special circumstances (e.g. metabolic or other illness) and for special physiological needs such as pregnancy, growth, weight reduction. See also dietitian.

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