AIDS TREATMENT NEWS Issue #208, October 7, 1994
Tadd Tobias
Many states have enacted legislation which regulates licensing and practice of this profession. These regulations vary widely among states, however, and the only truly national standard ("Registered Dietitian") is voluntary. Practically anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, and this person may or may not have the educational background and training to dispense accurate nutrition information. Many registered dietitians call themselves "nutritionists," especially when they work in the community or outpatient settings. This seems to be a more "user friendly" term.
As stated in the previous article, a registered dietitian with experience in the field is the first place to look for appropriate nutrition information regarding HIV disease. Be aware that "let the buyer beware" applies to this situation as well as any other. Remember that someone who calls themselves a nutritionist may or may not be a registered dietitian; be sure to check their credentials. Also, it is important to understand that, if they inexperienced in caring for persons with AIDS, a registered dietitian may not be the best source for information.
According to the Commission on Dietetic Registration, which is the credentialing agency for The American Dietetic Association, a Registered Dietitian is defined as an individual who:
* Has completed the minimum of a baccalaureate degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college or university;
* Has met current academic requirements (Didactic Program in Dietetics) as approved by the American Dietetic Association;
* Has completed 900 hours preprofessional experience accredited/approved by The American Dietetic Association;
* Has successfully completed the Registration Examination for Dietitians; and
* Has accrued 75 hours of approved continuing education every five years.
Individuals may ask the Commission on Dietetic Registration to check authenticity of a practitioner's credentials. A general information packet, which outlines the pathway to registration, is also available for persons interested in becoming a registered dietitian. Contact: Commission on Dietetic Registration, 216 W. Jackson Blvd., 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312/899-4859, fax 312/899-1772. Additional Resources
* "Dietitians in HIV Practice" was started in 1993 as a networking vehicle for registered dietitians working with people with HIV/AIDS in the San Francisco Bay area. The group meets about six times a year at various sites to discuss current practices and research, and to develop community resources and educational materials. They are now seeking financial support to help publish a guide to nutritional services for people with HIV/AIDS. For more information contact Lisa McMillan at 415/252-1941.
* Project Open Hand provides comprehensive nutrition services, free of charge to persons with symptomatic HIV disease. For persons living in the San Francisco Bay area they support a food bank, a home-delivered meal program, and individualized nutritional counseling. Additionally they publish a newsletter, Positive Nutrition, three times a year. Contributors often are leading HIV nutrition experts, and the culturally sensitive editorial content includes useful information such as dietary suggestions, recipes, consumer tips, and research news. Subscriptions are free and available for anyone. Contact: Positive Nutrition, c/o Project Open Hand, 2720 17th St., San Francisco, CA 94110, 415/558-0600.
* The newly-formed National HIV-Nutrition Team (N-HINT) provides nutrition referrals for counseling, conducts workshops, and produces a quarterly newsletter for both the lay and professional audience. Information is available in English and Spanish. Contact: Gustavo Wong, R.D., N-HINT, P.O. Box 5874, Berkeley, CA 94705-0874, 510/655-3702, toll- free 800/434-4468, fax 510/547-8548.
* Persons or organizations interested in developing educational materials or specialized care clinics focusing on nutrition and AIDS may contact Kristin Weaver, R.N., M.S.N., C.N.S.N., 1601 Ocean Ave., Suite 212, San Francisco, CA 94112-1717.
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