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What Is ADA?
With more than 68,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1917 by a visionary group of women, led by Lenna F. Cooper and ADA's first president, Lulu C. Graves, dedicated to helping the government conserve food and improve the public's health and nutrition during World War I.
ADA Leaders 2007-2008
ADA is led by a Board of Directors comprised of national leaders in nutrition and health. The dietetics profession is governed by a 98-member elected House of Delegates.
- President: Connie B. Diekman, MEd, RD, LD, FADA
- President-elect: Martin M. Yadrick, MS, MBA, RD, FADA
- Speaker of the House: Ellen R. Shanley, MBA, RD, CDN
- Chief Executive Officer: Ronald S. Moen, MS
- ADA Bylaws
ADA Members
Approximately 75 percent of ADA's members are registered dietitians and four percent are dietetic technicians, registered. Other members include clinical and community dietetics professionals, consultants, food service managers, educators, researchers, dietetic technicians and students. Nearly half of all ADA members hold advanced academic degrees.
ADA members represent a wide range of practice areas and interests including public health; sports nutrition; medical nutrition therapy; diet counseling, cholesterol reduction, diabetes, heart and kidney disease; vegetarianism; food service management in business, hospitals, restaurants, long-term care facilities and education systems; education of other health-care professionals and scientific research.
ADA Location
Headquarters
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Phone: 800/877-1600
Washington office
1120 Connecticut Avenue N.W., Suite 480
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 800/877-0877
Media Contact Information To contact ADA's Public Relations Team, e-mail media@eatright.org.
ADA Web Site
http://www.eatright.org/
Credentialing Agency for Dietetics Professionals
The Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for ADA, awards credentials to individuals at entry, fellow and specialty levels who have met its standards for competency to practice in the profession, including successful completion of its national certification examination and recertification by continuing professional education and/or examination.
Professional Educational Programs
ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education as the accrediting agency for education programs that prepare dietetics professionals. Through the accreditation and approval of more than 600 undergraduate and graduate didactic, dietetic technician and supervised practice programs, CADE ensures that entry-level education meets quality standards.
Reliable Nutrition Information for the Public
ADA's dynamic Web site, http://www.eatright.org/, contains a wealth of nutrition information for consumers and the media, featuring approximately 5,000 pages of content from news releases and consumer tips to Nutrition Fact Sheets, consumer FAQs and the Good Nutrition Reading List. Consumers seeking the services of a registered dietitian can use the Find a Nutrition Professional feature on ADA's Web site. In addition, www.eatright.org offers links to many other nutrition-oriented sites.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
The most widely read peer-reviewed periodical in the dietetics field, the monthly Journal brings original research, critical reviews and reports and authoritative commentary and information to nutrition and dietetics professionals throughout the world. Access the table of contents, research study abstracts and selected articles at http://www.adajournal.org/.
ADA Foundation
The American Dietetic Association Foundation (ADAF) was established in 1966 as a 501(C)(3) public charity. Its mission is to fund the future of the dietetics profession through research and education. The Foundation's vision is to be a leader in promoting and achieving healthy weight for children, helping to reduce the growing prevalence of childhood obesity. ADAF achieves its goals by providing support for research, education and public awareness programs. The Foundation is proud to be recognized as the largest grantor of scholarships in the nutrition and dietetic fields. For the 2007-2008 academic year, ADAF has invested in the future of the dietetics profession by awarding approximately $295,000 to about 225 graduate, undergraduate and continuing education scholarships. |
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ADA's Mission
Leading the future of dietetics
ADA's Vision
ADA members are the most valued source of food and nutrition services
ADA's Key Areas of Interest
ADA's commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives brings the Association into the forefront of five critical health areas facing all Americans:
- Obesity and overweight, with a focus on children,
- Healthy aging,
- Safe, sustainable and nutritious food supply,
- Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics,
- Integrative medicine, including supplements and alternative medicine.
Affiliated Associations
Fifty state dietetic associations, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the American Overseas Dietetic Association, are affiliated with ADA. Within these groups, there are approximately 230 district associations.
What Is a Registered Dietitian?
A registered dietitian (RD) is a food and nutrition expert who has met academic and professional requirements including:
- Bachelor's degree with course work approved by ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.
- Complete an accredited, supervised, experiential practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or foodservice corporation.
- Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
- Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition and diabetes education. About half of all registered dietitians work in clinical settings, private practice or health-care facilities. Many work in community and public health settings, academia and research, business, journalism, sports nutrition and wellness programs.
What Is a Dietetic Technician, Registered?
Dietetic technicians, registered, (DTRs) often working in partnership with registered dietitians, screen, evaluate and educate patients; manage and prevent diseases such as diabetes and obesity and monitor patients' and clients' progress. DTRs work in settings such as hospitals and clinics, extended-care facilities, home health-care programs, schools, correctional facilities, restaurants, food companies, foodservice providers, public health agencies, government and community programs such as Meals on Wheels, health clubs, weight management clinics and wellness centers. DTRs must complete a two-year associate's degree in an approved dietetic technician program, have supervised practice experience and pass a nationwide examination to earn the DTR credential and must complete continuing education courses throughout their careers.
Government and Public Policy
ADA's Washington, D.C.-based government affairs office works with state and federal legislators and agencies on public policy issues affecting consumers and the practice of dietetics, including Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy; child nutrition; obesity; the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and other health and nutrition priorities.
National Nutrition Month®
ADA offers consumers timely, objective food and nutrition information through numerous programs and services. National Nutrition Month®, created in 1973 and celebrated in March, promotes healthful eating and provides practical nutrition guidance.
ADA Position Statements
ADA regularly produces and updates statements of the Association's official stance on issues that affect the nutritional and health status of the public. ADA position statements are derived from the latest available research and facts. Position statements address issues such as children's health, food technology and safety, public health, consumer education, health-care reform, elderly nutrition and health-care provider education. |
