Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics Celebrates Its Centennial With New Organizational Vision, Mission And Principles

CHICAGO, March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As a part of its Second Century initiative and centennial celebrations, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has established a new vision, mission, principles and strategic direction that will expand the influence and reach of the Academy and the nutrition and dietetics profession.

"The Academy's founders had a vision in 1917: to build a profession they believed would change the course of health through nutrition," said registered dietitian nutritionist and the Academy's 2016-2017 President Lucille Beseler.

"They succeeded far beyond even their ambitious goals, to the point where the Academy has grown to become the world's largest organization of credentialed food and nutrition professionals. Over the past century, we have demonstrated conclusively that nutrition is a science, not a fad or a way for celebrities to sell books," Beseler said.

"Now, as the Academy ends our first century and begins our second, the Academy will continue in the tradition of our founders with a new vision, mission and principles that will transform the next century of nutrition and dietetics practitioners and position us as food and nutrition leaders on a global scale," Beseler said.

Since the Academy's beginning, food and health systems have continued to evolve, becoming more global and complex. However, these challenges create unprecedented opportunities for innovation and collaboration, and are the impetus for the Academy's new principles.

The Academy's new vision, as endorsed by its Board of Directors, is: A world where all people thrive through the transformative power of food and nutrition; with a mission to: Accelerate improvements in global health and well-being through food and nutrition.

The Academy's principles are:
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and our members:

• Integrate research, professional development and practice to stimulate innovation and discovery
• Collaborate to solve the greatest food and nutrition challenges now and in the future
• Focus on system-wide impact across the food, wellness and health care sectors
• Have a global impact in eliminating all forms of malnutrition
• Amplify the contribution of nutrition practitioners and expand workforce capacity and capability.

"These principles represent priorities and areas of practice where Academy members have been working for many years," Beseler said. "Formally integrating them into our new vision and mission underlines our commitment to a Second Century that brings out the best the Academy and Foundation have to offer, lifts our profession and expands opportunities for all members."

Today, the Academy represents more than 100,000 registered dietitian nutritionists and dietetic technicians, registered, working across the food and health spectrum in hospitals, foodservice, academia, business, wellness, agriculture, public health and private practice. Registered dietitian nutritionists are the most highly educated and experienced health professionals in the food and nutrition field. The Academy continues to provide unequalled, evidence-based nutrition practice resources for its members and health professionals.

All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy's Board of Directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use "registered dietitian nutritionist" (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings.

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

SOURCE Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Related Links

http://www.eatright.org