New Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Guidelines Not Fully Supported By Current Health Insurance, Says Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

For Release November 15, 2013

New Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Guidelines Not Fully Supported By Current Health Insurance, Says Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics


CHICAGO – The reality of existing insurance coverage precludes effective implementation of four newly released cardiovascular guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The Academy supports the new guidelines and urges public and private insurance carriers to follow the recommendations so that Americans will have access to health care they deserve.

“Nutrition is at the crux of prevention, management and treatment of chronic diseases. If we want to improve the health of Americans, we must provide the infrastructure to assist people to follow a healthy diet,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Dr. Glenna McCollum. 

Each of the guidelines addressed different aspects of cardiovascular disease – risk assessment, risk reduction, treatment and weight management – and all emphasized the importance of developing a healthful eating plan, which is not sufficiently covered by insurers.

“For millions of Americans, health insurance fails to provide sufficient coverage for the nutrition services recommended by the new guidelines. Without coverage, physicians are unlikely to refer patients to registered dietitian nutritionists who have the time and training to effectively provide nutrition therapy and facilitate behavior change,” McCollum said. “Despite substantial research and data underscoring the importance of intensive behavioral and dietary counseling provided by a registered dietitian nutritionist, many insurers do not adequately cover visits with the practitioners who have the nutritional expertise for effective dietary management to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.”

This situation stands in contrast to the “gold standard” put forth by medical experts from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which specifically recommends referrals to RDNs for diet counseling to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease, McCollum said, and notes that “[m]ore intensive interventions and those of longer duration, are associated with larger magnitude of benefit and more sustained changes in diet.”

Numerous studies have confirmed that RDNs are the most effective practitioners – both in terms of expertise and in cost savings –when it comes to dietary counseling to achieve long-lasting health improvements. The Institute of Medicine has “rate[d] dietary counseling performed by a trained educator such as a [registered] dietitian as more effective than by a primary care clinician.”

“RDNs have the qualifications and expertise to help Americans make lifestyle changes to prevent, manage and reverse chronic conditions,” said McCollum. “In fact, the new cardiovascular guidelines are based upon research where RDNs provided prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. However, RDNs are not sufficiently covered to provide the same care as presented in the recommendations.”

“The Academy supports the new guidelines put out by the AHA and ACA. However, if we are truly serious about tackling our nation’s greatest killers, then we must get serious about coverage. The discrepancy between our expert guidelines and national coverage must be rectified,” McCollum said. “At this point, only a fraction of the recommendations stated in the guidelines are covered by insurance. If we are going to improve the health of the nation and control rising health care costs, then all Americans should have access to RDNs who can provide the nutrition care specified in the guidelines.”

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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) instead. 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 at www.eatright.org.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Supports FDA’s Move To Reduce Trans Fats in Processed Foods

For Immediate Release

November 7, 2013

CHICAGO – The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics applauds the Food and Drug Administration’s efforts, announced November 7, to reduce partially hydrogenated oils in processed foods. PHOs are the primary dietary source of artificial trans fats, which have been proven to raise low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol, and increase people’s risk of coronary heart disease.

“Scientific evidence has shown us that consumption of artificial trans fats through processed foods is a direct contributor to coronary heart disease, which often results in stroke and heart attack,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Dr. Glenna McCollum.

“The Academy supports the FDA’s efforts to reduce the number of foods that contain these harmful fats, ultimately helping save the lives of thousands of people every year,” McCollum said.  

While there are some naturally occurring trans fats in animal foods, most of the trans fat in our food system is created through a process called hydrogenation. This process takes liquid fats (oils) and makes them more solid, increasing their shelf stability. The FDA’s preliminary determination references only those foods that contain PHOs and not those in which trans fat occurs naturally in small amounts, like some meat and dairy products. Artificial trans fats are most often found in processed foods like margarine, frozen pizza, creamers, microwave popcorn and some desserts.

“As the FDA moves to its final determination, the Academy encourages everyone to follow the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by severely limiting their consumption of foods that contain synthetic sources of trans fats and other solid fats, while eating more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, chicken and fish, whole grains and low-fat and fat-free dairy products,” McCollum said.

According to the FDA, the consumption of trans fat in American diets has been significantly reduced. Since trans fat content information began appearing in the Nutrition Facts label of foods in 2006, trans fat intake among American consumers has declined from 4.6 grams per day in 2003 to about 1 gram per day in 2012.

McCollum added additional tips to maintaining good heart health, including:

•         Regular, moderate physical activity

•         Reducing salt intake

•         Regularly eating fatty fish like salmon, lake trout, albacore tuna (in water, if canned), mackerel and sardines

•         Eating fewer foods with saturated fats, cholesterol, added sugars and refined grains.

“Consult a registered dietitian nutritionist who can help you build a heart-healthy nutrition plan that fits your lifestyle and needs,” McCollum said.

**Journalists interested in speaking with a registered dietitian nutritionist should contact the Academy’s media relations department at 312/899-4769 or media@eatright.org.

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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) instead. 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 at www.eatright.org.

and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.

Cuts To Snap are Detrimental To The Health of America’s Poor: Statement From Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cuts To Snap are Detrimental To The Health of America’s Poor: Statement From Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics President - Glenna McCollum

CHICAGO - As of November 1, 47 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have less to spend on food to feed their families. The decreased funds are a result of the expiration of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was enacted to stimulate the economy and help those in need. According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, the reduction in benefits will equate to 21 fewer meals per month.

In the face of these disappointing cuts, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its registered dietitian nutritionist members remain committed to reducing food insecurity and its resulting detrimental impact on the health of families. Access to food is a basic and fundamental human right, and the Academy believes systematic and sustained actions are needed to achieve food and nutrition security for all.

These actions include adequate funding for and increased utilization of food and nutrition assistance programs (like those in SNAP), inclusion of food and nutrition education in such programs, and innovative programs to promote and support individual and household economic self sufficiency.

Although there is economic recovery being reported, many Americans still struggle to feed their families. These are families in which parents often work two or more low-income jobs. Weakening a food safety net for millions of Americans – half of whom are children – will only exacerbate their struggle.

As Congress discusses the fate of the Farm Bill, SNAP could be subjected to even deeper cuts. SNAP provides basic food assistance to those in need, and acts as a buffer against the devastating effects of hunger and malnutrition. Hunger and disrupted food access are associated with poor health outcomes and costly chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. Cutting funding to vital nutrition and food assistance programs will increase hunger and lead to increased health care spending, two things that we cannot afford.

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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) instead. 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. To locate a registered dietitian in your area, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.