For Best and Most Reliable Nutrition Information, Americans Know Where to Turn, ADA Survey Reveals

For Best and Most Reliable Nutrition Information, Americans Know Where to Turn, ADA Survey Reveals

FOR RELEASE JANUARY 3, 2000

Contact: Tom Ryan, Lori Ferme or Bridget McManamon
800/877-1600, ext. 4894, 4802 or 4769
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FOR BEST AND MOST RELIABLE NUTRITION INFORMATION, AMERICANS KNOW WHERE TO TURN, ADA SURVEY REVEALS

CHICAGO — An overwhelming majority of Americans are aware of the work and expertise of registered dietitians and believe nutrition messages on packaged foods are more credible if they come from the professional association of registered dietitians, the American Dietetic Association, according to ADA's new nationwide public opinion survey, Nutrition and You: Trends 2000.

According to the survey, 90 percent of Americans say they have heard of registered dietitians.

And a majority know that dietitians must meet academic requirements to obtain their credential: 32 percent know that an RD "is certified/has a degree or license," and 25 percent know that a dietitian "has dietary training/schooling."

Among other educational and professional requirements, registered dietitians must at minimum hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college and complete course work approved by ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education.

"Consumers are saying they know they can depend on the American Dietetic Association and registered dietitians to be the source of solid nutrition information," says Seattle registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson Susan Adams.

"Anyone wanting to become a dietitian must meet rigorous academic and training standards before even qualifying to take the national exam. Just like physicians, all registered dietitians have completed internships or similar professional practice training."

ADA's Nutrition and You: Trends 2000 survey also found a majority of Americans — 53 percent — said they had heard of the American Dietetic Association.

"That is a significant finding as ADA aims to fulfill its mission of serving the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well being for all people," Adams says.

"We have clearly defined standards of practice for dietetics professionals, and ADA was one of the earliest medical professional organizations to establish a code of ethical conduct for its members."

"People should expect that registered dietitians will offer high-quality service, based both on scientific research and our clients' needs and expectations," Adams says. "And that we will communicate our knowledge effectively and commit ourselves to lifelong learning and ethical practice."

ADA's survey also found a large majority of respondents view ADA as a valuable source of food and nutrition advice — 77 percent said they would consider nutrition messages on packages of food sold in grocery stores to be either "much more credible" or "somewhat more credible" if the messages came from ADA.

The 70,000-member American Dietetic Association is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Chicago-based ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being.

For the most timely, complete food and nutrition information, visit ADA's Web site.

Editor's note: For more information about ADA's Nutrition and You: Trends 2000 survey, for a copy of the full results or to interview an ADA spokesperson, contact ADA's Public Relations Team at 800/877-1600, ext. 4802, 4894 or 4769.

Survey results are based on telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 792 adults conducted in October 1999 by Wirthlin Worldwide. The survey has a confidence interval of plus-or-minus 3.5 percent in 95 out of 100 cases.