How Dietitians Can Advocate for The Profession: 5 Ways to Make a Difference
Conversations around nutrition and the dietetics profession feel really heavy right now. Maybe you’ve noticed it, too. Maybe you’re like me and you’ve been wondering what the future of dietetics will look like in 10 or 20 years. I don’t have the answer to that, but hopefully it helps to know you’re not alone in wondering.
Of course, I can list out all the amazing things about our profession and all the ways we help make the world, or at least our state, a healthier and more nourished place. And maybe it says something about me that I don’t want to take this opportunity to do that. Not because those things aren’t true, but because telling you how awesome you are feels a little patronizing to me right now. Dietitians know we are valuable. We know we’ve put in the work, earned the credentials, and continue our learning and growth through rigorous continuing education requirements. I don’t think you need to be told why you matter. I think we need to acknowledge that dietitians, and other experts, are being increasingly sidelined in favor of influencers and ask ourselves what we are willing to do about it.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do believe there are things each of us can do to stand up for our profession in this moment. Here are a few of my personal recommendations:
Vote in Local, State, and Federal Elections.
I’m not encouraging you to vote for any particular person, party, or policy. I’m just encouraging you to use your voice. Vote in local, state, and federal elections. The decisions made by elected leaders shape health care, public health, food and nutrition programs, education, licensure, and the environments in which dietitians practice (not to mention the communities in which we live). If we want a voice in the policies that affect our profession and the people we serve, participation matters. Don’t get discouraged and don’t disengage.
Advocate for Dietitians and Evidence-Based Nutrition Policy.
Voting matters, but our responsibility doesn’t end at the ballot box. Pay attention to legislation, regulations, and policy decisions that affect dietetics, nutrition, licensure, and the people we serve. When something matters, speak up. Contact your legislators. Respond to calls to action from your state affiliate and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. You don’t have to be a policy expert or know exactly what to say. You know your profession, and you know how these decisions affect your work and the people you serve. We can’t expect decisionmakers to understand the impact of their choices if they never hear from us.
Make Professional Involvement Easier for Dietitians.
If you are a manager, leader, director, or supervisor, help make professional involvement possible. Encourage the dietitians you supervise to be active and engaged in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, their state affiliate, and their local district association. If you have the ability, allow attendance at these meetings to count as work time and consider covering the cost of membership(s) when possible.
I know this isn’t possible for every organization, but if you have the option, please prioritize it. A lot of people would like to be more engaged in their professional associations but struggle to do so because of personal and family demands outside of work. Making space for professional involvement during the workday removes one important barrier to participation.
Introduce Dietetic Students to Professional Associations.
If you are an instructor or preceptor for dietetic students, introduce professional involvement early. Incorporate participation in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, their state affiliate, and/or their local district association into your curriculum or supervised practice experiences when possible. If we introduce students to these organizations while they are preparing to enter the profession, we can help them see professional involvement as a normal part of their careers rather than something extra they have to find time for later.
Take Initiative: Don't Wait for Someone Else.
We are who we’ve been waiting for. This is a tricky one and I want to tread lightly here because I’m not saying you have to do everything, but I am saying you have to do something. Don’t be afraid to raise your hand. You don’t have to be the most knowledgeable person in the room to contribute or even to lead. You just have to be the person who is willing to keep showing up, willing to listen, and willing to keep doing the next right thing.
Side note, this philosophy earned me an accidental coaching position for my 9-year-old’s volleyball team. They desperately needed someone, and I raised my hand and said I’d help even though I knew nothing about volleyball. And it’s been one of my favorite things I’ve gotten to do!
I know this is asking a lot. I know you’re already doing your job and juggling family life, too. But I have faith that all of us can find at least one way to contribute.
None of these actions alone will solve the larger challenges facing our profession. Voting in one election, attending one professional association meeting, sending one message to a legislator, or encouraging one student to get involved may feel insignificant. But disengagement guarantees that our voices are absent from the decisions and conversations shaping our future. We may not control everything happening around our profession, but we can decide whether we participate in what happens next.
Sincerely,
Lita Chatham, MS, RDN, LD
Founder, Health At Every Style
*This is an adapted version of my October President's Letter for the Alabama Dietetic Association.
Lita Chatham, MS, RDN, LD
Lita is a mom, registered dietitian nutritionist, and founder of Health at Every Style. With more than a decade of experience in public health nutrition, she is passionate about evidence-based nutrition, weight-inclusive care, and supporting the dietetics profession. She has served in a variety of leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels.
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