

	THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RECOGNIZES DIETITIANS AND NUTRITIONISTS TALLAHASSEE—In connection with Registered Dietitians Day on March 10, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) recognizes the registered dietitians and licensed dietitians/nutritionists who help Floridians live healthier lives through the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity. “We appreciate the nutrition expertise, compassion, and dedication of registered dietitians and licensed dietitians/nutritionists as they help individuals make specific, positive lifestyle changes to improve health,” said DOH Family Health Services Division Director Annette Phelps, A.R.N.P., M.S.N. “With obesity rates throughout the country rising, their work is more critical than ever. The education and healthy living they promote are valuable to everyone.” Registered dietitians and licensed dietitians/nutritionists complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and an internship, pass a national exam, and obtain ongoing professional education. These nutrition experts evaluate current nutrition science information and determine how it can be used to address an individual’s unique nutrition needs. They offer vital nutrition education, consultation, and guidance to Florida’s citizens – from the most vulnerable, frail, or ill in our society to those who want to improve their food intake in order to maximize health and strength. Their expertise and guidance assist: pregnant and breastfeeding women to help them have healthy babies infants and young children to promote healthy growth and development children to encourage healthy eating and physical activity habits adults to prevent the onset or advancement of obesity and chronic diseases patients with wasting diseases or injury to rebuild or strengthen them teenagers with eating disorders to provide guidance to them elderly who need information on drug-nutrient interactions or hydration athletes who want to improve sports performance DOH recruits and employs many registered dietitians and licensed dietitians/nutritionists in programs such as: Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Child Nutrition Programs School Health HIV/AIDS Children’s Medical Services Adult Health, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease Obesity Prevention DOH promotes, protects and improves the health of all people in Florida. For more information on child nutrition, visit the DOH web site at www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/ccfp/index.html. For more information on obesity prevention, visit www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/obesity/index.html. To learn more about WIC, visit www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/wic/index.html.