Dr Wasim Ghori, Director for Healthcare at Indian Economic Trade Organisation (IETO) and Consultant Diabetologist explains why your should avail the expertise of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
This March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics focuses its attention on healthful eating through National Nutrition Month.
This year’s theme, Celebrate a World of Flavours, embraces global cultures, cuisines and inclusivity, plus highlights the expertise of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs).
During National Nutrition Month, the Academy encourages everyone to make informed food choices and develop sound eating and physical activity habits they can follow all year long.
The Academy encourages seeking the advice of RDNs – the food and nutrition experts who can help develop individualised eating and activity plans to meet people’s health goals.
The second Wednesday of March is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, an annual celebration of the dedication of RDNs as the leading advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world. This year’s observance will be March 9.
According to the World Health Organisation, an unhealthy diet is one of the primary risk factors for chronic medical conditions.
The Benefits
Let’s understand some of the proven benefits of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist’s interventions in the management of chronic medical conditions viz., Diabetes, Hypertension Dyslipidemia and Cardio Metabolic Risks:
- A) Dietary Counselling / Nutrition Therapy delivered by a Dietitian is more effective than usual care and minimal dietary advice for prevention and treatment of chronic medical diseases.
- B) Compared to non-dietitian delivered interventions, interventions by a registered dietitian improved:
– Diabetes prevention outcomes (improved HbA1c = – 0.43).
– Diabetes Outcomes (mean diff in HbA1c = – 0.45%).
– Dyslipidemia outcomes (mean diff in LDL cholesterol = – 0.26 mmol/L).
– Hypertension outcomes (change in BP = -3.2/.1.5 mm Hg).
– Reduced Triglycerides levels (mean diff = – 0.17 mmol/L).
- C) Costing suggests that dietitian – delivered interventions have lower costs per individual (e.g. reduced hospitalization and medication use) compared to non-dietitian interventions for diabetes prevention and the treatment of Diabetes, Dyslipidemia and CardioMetabolic Risk.
- D) Dietitians are Effective Diet Counsellors:
- Dietitians have both the scientific knowledge and the counselling skills needed to deliver effective dietary advice.
- Dietitians apply proven behaviour change techniques and counselling methods and tailor nutrition advice.
- Dietitians counsel effectively to individuals and groups, optimise limited resources, and help streamline care.
- E) Diet Counselling Makes a Difference.
- Structured and intensive lifestyle interventions delivered by dietitians can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 60% in clients at risk.
- Diet counselling improves general dietary behaviours associated with good health such as increased fruit, vegetable and fibre intake and decreased fat intake.
- After at least three months of dietary counselling, patients with chronic diseases have experienced:
– Decreased body weight of about 3-5 kg.
– Reduced glycated hemoglobin (A1c) levels – similar to the outcomes with two medications, but with reduced cost and risk.
– Reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
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