Five Registered Dietitians Named To 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Expert Advisory Panel

CHICAGO – Five registered dietitians and one honorary member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are among 15 nutrition and health science authorities named May 31 by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to the government’s new 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.

The committee members have been selected for “their expertise in dietary intake, human metabolism, behavioral change, and health,” according to the USDA and HHS. Following an evidence-based systematic review of current scientific literature, listening to and receiving public comment and deliberating in open forums, the committee will prepare an advisory report that will be used in creating the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which were last revised in 2010.

The cornerstone of federal food policy in the United States, the Dietary Guidelines are especially important in developing nutrition education programs and strengthening food assistance programs which include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) and the Child Nutrition Programs and WIC Programs.

“As the country’s leading organization of food and nutrition professionals, the entire Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is proud that five registered dietitians have been asked to serve on this important committee, reviewing the science that is the basis for the government’s primary guidelines on healthful eating,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President Dr. Glenna McCollum, MPH, RDN.

“As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I am especially pleased that five of my fellow RDs – all distinguished scientists – are bringing our unique combined knowledge of nutrition science and consumer advice to the committee. They will contribute enormously in developing 2015 Dietary Guidelines that will lead to a healthy and well-nourished American public,” McCollum said.

Academy members and registered dietitians who will serve on the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee are:

•           Chair: Barbara Millen, DrPH, RD, professor in the department of family medicine, Boston University School of Medicine

•           Vice Chair: Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, RD, Stanley N. Gershoff professor of Nutrition Science and Policy at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and director and senior scientist, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University

•           Gary Foster, PhD, director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education, Laura Carnell Professor of Medicine, Public Health and Psychology, Temple University (honorary Academy member)

•           Marian Neuhouser, PhD, RD, full member at the Cancer Prevention Program, Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

•           Anna Maria Siega-Riz, PhD, RD, professor in the departments of epidemiology and nutrition, University of North Carolina

•           Mary Story, PhD, RD, senior associate dean for academic and student affairs and professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota.

  

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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). The two credentials have identical meanings.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.