The sedentary lifestyle coupled with immeasurable stress, strain and tensions of all kinds have given rise to a wide range of ailments and maladies like hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, spondilitis, angina, heart attacks and so on. These problems have generated a global awareness about the need to stay healthy by selecting one's daily diet with abundant caution.This is exactly where the nutritionists and dieticians step in to teach people the art of healthy living at no extra cost.
An individual aspiring for a career in Nutrition and Dietetics should have a preliminary knowledge in biology, biochemistry, and physiology as well as the sociological and psychological dimensions of human nutrition. There are ample opportunities for nutritionists and dieticians in industry, hospitals, schools, colleges, government agencies, and clinics etc. Students can also make career in research field especially in the biomedical and nutritional biochemistry fields. One can also find business-related opportunities in sales, marketing, customer service, employee wellness, human resources and general management.
The courses in Nutrition and Dietetics are offered at diploma, undergraduate and post-graduate level. There are institutes and universities in India offering courses viz. PG Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics, B.Sc (Food Science and Nutrition) and M.Sc (Nutrition) etc. Admission to these courses is made on the basis of merit. But few institutes/universities also conduct entrance examination for admission.
For doing M.Sc (Nutrition), one needs to have a basic graduate degree preferably in science. Preferable fields of graduation are: Microbiology, Chemistry, Home Science, Medicine, Hotel management or catering technology.
Other option is to pursue a 1year PG Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics. Fresh dieticians usually undergo training for 1 year in the F&B department of the hospital. The minimum educational qualification for doing PG Diploma course is graduation preferably in Science.
For doing Bachelor program in Nutrition and Dietetics, one should have completed intermediate in Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The BSc (Food Science and Nutrition) is a three year program.
Nutrition and Dietetics is an emerging field which is expected to provide enormous opportunities in professional career. The qualified dieticians or nutritionists can find employment in hospitals, health and recreation clubs, canteens, nursing homes and in government health department. One can also get employment in star hotels, research labs of food manufacturers and NGOs. What is more they can be part of the home science department of universities and colleges.
Apart from these, there are ample scopes for self-employment. You could open a consultancy clinic in some residential area, where you could interact with mothers, housewives, homemakers, adolescents and so forth.
Graduates in nutrition and dietetics can also join Social Welfare centre or organization as professional dietician to work for the people. They give lessons to the people regarding various eating habits which help improve their health.
Nutrition & Dietetics is a sophisticated career option. The professionals involved in this field are associated with richer section of the society. Hence there is no limitation to earnings. One who works in private hospitals as trainee may get starting salary of Rs.5000 per month and after gaining one year or more experience the salary may go up to Rs.10,000. Professionals working in research field, teaching or in food manufacturing units earn handsome salary along with other perks and benefits. However, Consultant dieticians in private practice earn much more depending on their skills and reputation.
The following universities are offering courses in Nutrition and Dietetics.
National Institute of Nutrition Hyderabad, India EPABX (7 Lines): +91-40-27008921-27 E-mail: nin@ap.nic.in Fax: NIN 27019074 NCLAS 27017717 Grams: NUTRITION Course: PG Certificate Course in Nutrition
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