A Decade Of Growth: Membership In Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics Increases For Tenth Consecutive Year To Record High

CHICAGO, May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the tenth consecutive year, membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has grown to record-high levels. The Academy's membership as of April 30 was 75,708.

"Our historic and growing membership shows the Academy offers the highest levels of support, benefits and services that nutrition and dietetics practitioners need to prosper in their careers," said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Sonja L. Connor.

"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has renewed their membership or joined our Academy for the first time," Connor said. "Our profession is growing and trends are positive." Connor noted that the CareerCast Health Care Network recently named dietitian the third-best job in health care for 2015.

"The Academy has made a major effort in recent years to create benefits and initiatives that make membership indispensable to providers of food and nutrition services – particularly registered dietitian nutritionists," Connor said.

The Academy's membership began steadily rising in 2005-2006 – passing the 70,000 mark in 2009 – and increasing each year since.

Members identify many different reasons for joining the Academy and renewing their membership. They include belonging to the dietetics profession's leading member organization; extensive professional and career development programs; opportunities to network with colleagues through local affiliates and professional specialty groups; the Academy's role as the leading advocate for the dietetics profession with health care providers and government; and access to the monthly Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as well as patient and client education materials.

Approximately 74 percent of the nation's practicing registered dietitian nutritionists are Academy members. In comparison, about 80 percent of other membership associations have market penetration below 70 percent.

Connor also cited the strong efforts the Academy has made to involve younger food and nutrition professionals in the organization – particularly those under age 30. These initiatives include various committees and subcommittees, the Thirty and Under in Nutrition and Dietetics member interest group, and leadership positions in the House of Delegates, the Commission on Dietetic Registration and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

In addition, the Academy offers a graduated dues program to individuals in their first five years as members, enabling them to enjoy the benefits and services of Academy membership while they establish themselves in the nutrition and dietetics profession.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.

SOURCE Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

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