A Message from Judy Dodd, ADAF Chair

The days are getting longer, the temperatures are slowly rising and the blooms are starting to appear. Spring is almost here and the American Dietetic Association Foundation is ready to blossom in the coming months. We have spent the winter months gearing up for the year ahead, ensuring we are poised to continue our support of the dietetics profession and our commitment to reducing childhood obesity across the country. We are very excited about the continued success of our scholarships and grants programs, which provide financial support to current and future dietitians seeking to advance their education and careers in this prestigious field.

Here are just a few of the recent highlights:

• We received more than 1000 applications for the General Mills Champions Grants program. This program provides 50 $10,000 grants to 501c3 organizations with innovative nutrition and physical activity programs for youth that also enlist the expertise of a registered dietitian.
• We are currently reviewing applications for named research grants as well as recognition and leadership awards and education stipends. Additional research grants are now available. Each year, ADAF makes available nearly $120,000 though these funds.
• The ADAF Scholarship Committee is currently reviewing this year's applications. We received nearly 750 applications. We hope to again provide $250,000 to more than 200 students at all levels of study. Final selections will be made in May.
• The next $35,000 grant from the ADAF Food and Nutrition Research Endowment will soon be available. This year's grant will provide for an ADA member conducting research related to childhood obesity.

Please take a moment to visit the Foundation's Web site to learn more about these scholarships, awards and grants, and how you can become involved as either a donor or recipient.

Spring is also the time to renew your ADA dues. We hope you will consider supporting the ADA Foundation through the check-off option on your dues statement or online. The money raised will enable the Foundation to continue the fabulous programs listed in this issue.

As you will see in this edition of Foundation Matters, we continue to make great strides in our efforts, none of which would be possible without your support. We are extremely grateful for everything you continue to do for the ADAF and the dietetics profession as a whole.

Sincerely,

	Judy Dodd, MS, RD, LDN ADA Foundation Chair

RD Coaches Corner: Healthy Schools Partnership Proving Successful at Changing Students' Dietary Behaviors

After a pilot study in Kansas City revealed the RD Coaching project resulted in kids eating significantly more vegetables (yes, vegetables!), researchers at the Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins' Center for Weight and Health at UC Berkeley are digging deeper, and a new study is currently being launched. For two years, fourth through sixth grade students will be followed to track eating and activity behavior changes. RDs will not only provide nutrition education, but work in the school to provide an environment that supports healthy choices. Study measurements include a nutrition and physical activity knowledge and behavior survey, three-day food records, lunch tray photographs and fitness gram data collection. Pre-program data was collected in February and early March; mid-point data will be collected on the same students in the spring of 2011; and final data collection will take place in the spring of 2012.

In a completely different setting, students in the greater Des Moines, Iowa area are currently enrolled in a pilot study as researchers prepare for a full study to begin in the fall of 2010. Over 1,000 fourth through sixth grade students will be followed for this two-year study. Similar measurements to those taken in Kansas City will be used; however, an added focus on physical activity and the home environment will be implemented.

According to an extensive review of studies conducted in the last decade, there are a number of key behavioral indicators of a healthy diet and healthy body weight. These include: consumption of fruits and vegetables, breakfast consumption, low-fat dairy consumption, healthy snack and beverage choices, eating family meals at home and making better choices when eating out.  These eating behaviors are addressed in the all of the evaluation activities.

For updates on the Healthy School Partnership, check out our blog and Web site or email the ADA Foundation's National Nutrition Educator, Katie Brown, Ed.D., RD, LD at katieisdrnut@gmail.com.

"Marching" on with the Student Decal Program

In an effort to better engage the student membership of the American Dietetic Association and increase support of the ADA Foundation's Scholarship Program, the ADAF along with our student board member, Meghan Glenz, developed the ADA Foundation Decal Program. The decals will be available at various affiliate spring meetings and through student associations at colleges around the country for a $5 donation to the Dollars for Scholars initiative.

We have been working with students all across the United States to identify schools and programs that are willing to participate in this program. We have had a great response so far and will continue to send information along with decals to the schools. Our goals are set high but we know that they can be achieved, as these students are determined and motivated to help the Foundation in its endeavors.

One of the Foundation's goals is to work more closely with the student membership of the ADA and provide information about the scholarship programs, student stipends and Dollars for Scholars campaign. We hope that through this decal program, we can help spread the word and engage students across the country about the benefits of the Foundation and what it does for student members. These decals are a great way to show support for the profession and they will enable students to get much needed financial assistance in the years to come.

For more information on the decal program, please contact Jill Henden at 312/899-4847 or jhenden@eatright.org.

Written By Meghan Glenz

ADA Foundation Unveils The Eat Right Society

The ADA Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of The Eat Right Society to recognize those donors who step forward annually and make a significant contribution to support the mission of the Foundation. This new giving club recognizes annual donations of $250 and greater to any of the Foundation's initiatives, which include the following:

• Scholarship Funds
• Award Funds
• Research Funds
• Annual Fund
• ADAF's Healthy Weight for Kids Initiative

Individuals, ADA members, Dietetic Practice Groups and State Dietetic Associations are eligible to become members of this giving club. Donors will be recognized at various giving levels and each category will have unique benefits. The annual giving levels are:

• $2,500+
• $1,000–$2,499
• $250–$999

For more information on becoming a charter member of The Eat Right Society, contact Jill Henden at jhenden@eatright.org or 312/899-4847. Donations can also be made online.

Remember that Special Dietitian through the ADA Foundation Tribute Gift Program

March is National Nutrition Month and the perfect time to acknowledge the importance of the RD to the health of our country by making a donation to the ADA Foundation. The ADAF's Tribute Gift Program is a great way to support the future of the dietetics profession, while honoring a friend, family member or mentor by making the gift in his or her name. Your friend, colleague or loved one's family will be notified of your thoughtfulness through a personalized acknowledgement card.  For more information about the program or to make a donation, please contact Linda Hudson at lhudson@eatright.org or 312/899-4773.

ADA Foundation Annual Giving Fund Supports Dietetics Research

The ADA Foundation is expanding research efforts to make dollars available on an annual basis to fund research being conducted by ADA and its members. These dollars will allow the ADAF to quickly respond to the ever-changing research needs of the profession. Investing in member conducted research is a priority for the Foundation. This fund will elevate the registered dietitian's profile to the public by continuing to position the ADA and its members as the nutrition experts. ADAF believes this annual research fund will allow for an even greater impact by ultimately providing consumers with the most relevant and accurate food and nutrition information and bringing more registered dietitians to the forefront.

Make an online donation to this new annual research fund, or contact Jill Henden at jhenden@eatright.org or 312/899-4847 for more information.

ADA Foundation Research Breakfast at FASEB Experimental Biology Meeting 2010

Each year, in conjunction with the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology's (FASEB) annual meeting, ADA Foundation hosts a breakfast for ADA members. This is an opportunity for ADA members who are attending the Experimental Biology meeting to learn more about ADA Foundation's research initiatives and to network with fellow members. The breakfast will be held on Sunday, April 25th in Anaheim, California at the Hilton Anaheim.

The Experimental Biology meeting is held annually and is comprised of nearly 13,000 scientists and exhibitors representing six sponsoring societies and 18 guest societies. EB 2010 is open to all members of the sponsoring and guest societies and nonmembers with interest in research and life sciences. This multidisciplinary, scientific meeting features plenary and award lectures, pre-meeting workshops, oral and posters sessions, on-site career services and exhibits of an array of equipment, supplies and publications required for research labs and experimental study. EB 2010 will be held in Anaheim California at the Anaheim Convention Center from April 24–28, 2010.

If you are interested in attending either the ADA Foundation Research Breakfast or the Experimental Biology meeting, please contact Abby Manger at amanger@eatright.org. Special thanks to PepsiCo for their generous sponsorship.

Corporate Supporters Continue to Move the ADA Foundation Forward

The ADA Foundation would like to thank the corporations who have supported the annual fund through their participation in the ADA sponsorship program. Their generous support enables the ADAF to continue our fundraising and grant making activities. We recognize the following companies for their contributions this fiscal year:

The Keys to Our Success

The ADA Foundation receives a tremendous amount of support for its scholarship, awards and research grants program from corporations, Dietetic Practice Groups and State Dietetic Associations. This generous support enables deserving dietetics students to receive financial aid, provides ADA members continuing education opportunities and funding for member conducted research. We are extremely grateful to the following groups for their instrumental support of the growth and success of the ADA Foundation.

Abbott Nutrition
One of the many ways Abbott Nutrition has supported the ADA Foundation is through the establishment of a research award in the area of renal disease and nutrition. Abbott Nutrition develops and markets a wide range of science-based infant formulas, medical nutritionals, nutrition and energy bars and related products to support the growth, health and wellness of people of all ages.

Colgate Palmolive
The Colgate Palmolive grant is given to support research in nutrition and oral health or dental education by doctoral students seeking a doctorate in these areas. In addition, the company has supported ADAF with a $5000 gift to the Scholarship Program. Colgate is a leading consumer products company, committed to advancing technology, which can address changing consumer needs throughout the world.

Commission on Dietetic Registration
In an effort to address the shortage of RDs with doctoral degrees, the Commission on Dietetic Registration has established a $100,000 scholarship fund for RDs currently enrolled in a doctoral degree program in dietetics or a dietetics-related field.  Ten $10,000 scholarships will be available from May 2010 through May 2011 and will be administered by the ADAF.

CDR has also allocated funds for the establishment of advanced practice residency programs across the spectrum of dietetics practice.  These programs will be required to adhere to standards/guidelines to be established by CADE during the coming year. Funding will be available both for institutions seeking to establish advanced practice residency programs and for registered dietitians who are enrolled in these advanced practice residency programs.

Mead Johnson Nutrition
For more than 50 years, Mead Johnson Nutrition's support of the ADAF Scholarship Program has aided students in a dietetics education program who have an interest in pediatric nutrition. In addition, Mead Johnson, sponsors the Foundation's Scholarship Committee Meeting each May at their headquarters in Evansville, IN. At this meeting, the recipients for the Foundation's over 200 scholarships are chosen. The mission of Mead Johnson Nutrition is to create nutritional brands and products trusted to give infants and children the best start in life.

In addition to those organizations listed above, ADAF would like to acknowledge the following organizations for establishing a named scholarship, award or research grant through the Foundation and their annual support of the program at the $5,000 and above level: Dietetics in Healthcare Communities DPG, Diabetes Care and Education DPG, McCormick Science Institute, ConAgra Foods Foundation, Bank of America, Connecticut Dietetic Association and the New York State Dietetic Association.

ADA Foundation has extended the deadlines for some of its awards and research grants through April 15, 2010.    Learn more »