User:Laurenburschel/Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Initiatives[edit]
The Academy has offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C. It also maintains several other organizations and entities, including the Commission on Dietetic Registration, Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, Dietetic Practice Groups, Academy Political Action Committee, and Academy Foundation. There are also several Member Interest Groups that include more than 4,800 members with common interests or specialties including Fifty Plus in Nutrition and Dietetics; Filipino Americans in Dietetics and Nutrition; Muslims in Dietetics and Nutrition; and National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition. Members of the Academy have the ability to get involved in public policy advocacy in several areas, including Wellness and Prevention, Diversity and Inclusion, Nutrition Security and Food Safety, and Nutrition Care and Health Systems.

Kids Eat Right[edit]
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the ADA Foundation launched their first joint initiative, Kids Eat Right, in November 2010. This member-driven campaign is dedicated to supporting the efforts of the White House to end the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. Kids Eat Right is a two-tiered campaign aimed to mobilize Academy members to participate in community and school childhood obesity prevention efforts, and also to educate families, communities, and policy makers about the importance of quality nutrition.

Kids Eat Right has a website that gives families healthy eating tips, articles, videos, and recipes from registered dietitians. Kids Eat Right also has scientifically-based health information centered around the theme "Shop-Cook-Eat" which has information about how to shop for healthy foods, how to cook foods with the most nutrient value, and gives the benefits of eating together at home and away from home.

Events[edit]
In 1973, the Academy created "National Nutrition Week". The theme the first year was "Invest in Yourself...Buy Nutrition." On May 9, 2010, the Academy proclaimed "Registered Dietitian's Day" to honor the "indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and to recognize RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives." The association also sponsors "National Nutrition Month" in March in the U.S.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation[edit]
In 1966, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics established its Foundation as a 501(c)(3) public charity devoted exclusively to nutrition and dietetics. The Foundation is the world's largest provider of dietetic scholarships at all levels of study with other programs including awards, research grants, fellowships, public education programs and disaster relief efforts.

The Foundation shares a vision with the Academy: A world where all people thrive through the transformative power of food and nutrition. The Foundation's mission is: "Through philanthropy, empower current and future food and nutrition practitioners to optimize global health".

Funding for various programs, funds, scholarships, initiatives and grants of the Foundation are raised by Academy members, giving societies, legacy, matching and tribute donations, program fees and offerings, and gifts, sponsorships and grants from for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The Foundation was given a four-star overall rating by CharityNavigator.org in 2018 based on data from fiscal year 2017.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers certifications for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), although certain states have additional requirements for dietitians. According to the AND's website, an RDN is a "food and nutrition expert" who has fulfilled the following minimum requirements.


 * Completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college, and course work accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
 * Completed an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies
 * Beginning January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required in order to take the registration examination for RDNs
 * Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
 * Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration

In addition to the costs of the college coursework, the Academy charges a $234 application fee for registered dietitians, and students must complete a 1,200 hour internship to sit for the Registered Dietitian exam.

Approximately 50% of RDs hold advanced degrees. The AND also offers additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, although these are not required for RDN certification.