Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Revised 2017 Scope of Practice for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Abstract

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals and the association that represents credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners-registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) and nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered (NDTRs). RDNs integrate research, professional development, and practice to stimulate innovation and discovery; collaborate to solve the greatest food and nutrition challenges now and in the future; focus on systemswide impact across the food, wellness, and health sectors; have a global impact in eliminating all forms of malnutrition; and amplify the contribution of nutrition and dietetics practitioners and expand workforce capacity and capability. The Revised 2017 Scope of Practice for the RDN reflects the position of the Academy on the essential role of the RDN in the direction and delivery of food and nutrition services. The scope of practice for the RDN is composed of education and credentialing, practice resources, Academy Standards of Practice and Professional Performance, codes of ethics, accreditation standards, state and federal regulations, national guidelines, and organizational policy and procedures. The Revised 2017 Scope of Practice for the RDN is used in conjunction with the Revised 2017 Standards of Practice (SOP) in Nutrition Care and the Standards of Professional Performance (SOPP) for RDNs. The SOP address activities related to direct patient and client care. The SOPP address behaviors related to the professional role of RDNs. These standards reflect the minimum competent level of nutrition and dietetics practice and professional performance for RDNs. A companion document addresses the scope of practice for the NDTR.

End-of-Life Nutrition Considerations: Attitudes, Beliefs, and Outcomes

“…Involving RDs in the development of nutrition care plans can help meet goals and lead to preferred outcomes, 48 and the official RD scope of practice indicates that dietitians may manage nutrition interventions, navigate ethics surrounding EOL nutrition care, and facilitate communication regarding risks of nutrition interventions. 4…”

“…The necessary intersection of nutrition expertise, medical ethics, and interdisciplinary management falls well within the RD scope of practice and the official position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is that RDs should be part of collaborative, interdisciplinary discussions for EOL care. 3,4…”

Weight and Body Image Perceptions in Nutrition and Dietetics University Students

“…Approximately 42.4% of American adults (20 years and older) and 20.6% of American youth (2-19 years old) are considered obese (body mass index > 30, BMI, a ratio of weight to height, kg/m 2 ) (Hales et al 2020;Hales, Fryar, Carroll, Fryar, & Ogden, 2017;. While BMI has the limitation of an indirect assumption of fat accumulation, it is widely used in medical assessment (Andersen, Baird, Bates, Chapel, Cline, Ganesh, S.N… McCauley, 2018). Understanding fat accumulation and distribution is clinically relevant, as accretion around the waist has associations with excess subcutaneous and visceral fat, of which the latter is linked to higher comorbidity risk such as heart disease and diabetes (González-Muniesa, Mártinez-González, & Hu, 2017).…”

Personal bias in nutrition advice: A survey of healthcare professionals’ recommendations regarding dairy and plant-based dairy alternatives

“…Americans consider health professionals among the most trustworthy sources of health and nutrition information (1,2). Healthcare professionals are often called upon to advise patients on dietary choices, and are expected to provide sound nutrition recommendations using the most up to date evidence (3,4). Unfortunately, many health degree programs other than dietetics programs lack adequate nutrition education (3,(5)(6)(7), making it difficult for health providers outside of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) to accurately and confidently provide nutrition advice (6).…”