Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges Congress: Pass Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act

FOR RELEASE NOVEMBER 11, 2015

CHICAGO - During November’s American Diabetes Month, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics joins advocacy communities across the country to raise awareness of the fact that diabetes rates have continued to rise over the past 10 years. To help save lives, improve health and save countless health care dollars, the Academy urges Congress to pass legislation that would provide effective and comprehensive medical nutrition therapy to Medicare beneficiaries with prediabetes.

”Nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Evelyn Crayton. “Unfortunately, there is even more reason to be concerned. In 2012, 86 million Americans age 20 and older had prediabetes, which is a state of being at extremely high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. While a diagnosis of prediabetes may seem hopeless, there are proven interventions to prevent and delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.”

Senators Susan Collins (Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) and Congressmen Diana DeGette (Colo), Tim Ryan (Ohio) and Ed Whitfield (Ky) have introduced resolutions in both chambers of Congress to raise awareness about the prevalence of diabetes and to promote the need for additional research and preventative efforts to fight this debilitating disease.

One of the most successful diabetes interventions is medical nutrition therapy, or MNT. This effective and comprehensive treatment is an evidence-based service performed by registered dietitian nutritionists for disease management, such as delaying and even preventing the onset of Type 2 diabetes. Numerous studies support the effectiveness of MNT, showing recipients losing weight and improving blood glucose levels.

The use of MNT as an intervention is strongly supported by research and professional organizations. Studies indicate that people who consult with registered dietitian nutritionists and diabetes educators have improved diabetes outcomes and quality of life.

“However, while Medicare covers MNT for individuals with diabetes, it does not cover MNT for individuals with prediabetes,” Crayton said. “Without this coverage, many of those with prediabetes are unable to afford services to treat and manage their disease.”

The Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act (H.R. 1686), being debated in Congress, would allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive MNT coverage for prediabetes, helping millions of Americans receive the services they need and preventing a massive increase in the number of people with Type 2 diabetes.

The Academy, along with partners in the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance, have asked Congress to hold a hearing on diabetes during American Diabetes Month, which would elevate interest in and visibility of diabetes legislation and allow legislation, such as the Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act, to move forward and improve the detection, prevention and treatment of diabetes.

“While Congress waits, millions of Americans continue to struggle,” Crayton said. “The Academy urges Congress: Pass H.R. 1686.”

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The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 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.

FOR RELEASE OCTOBER 27, 2015

ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS RESPONDS TO 

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION’S FINDINGS ON 

MEAT CONSUMPTION AND CANCER LINK

CHICAGO – The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, released the following statement today in response to the World Health Organization’s recent findings that consumption of red meat and processed meat can increase cancer risks:

In light of the recent findings by the World Health Organization classifying the consumption of red meat as probably carcinogenic to humans and the consumption of processed meats as carcinogenic to humans, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends consumers in the United States vary their daily protein choices by including lean meats, poultry and fish along with plants sources like beans, legumes, nuts and seeds. Consumption of processed meats like ham, bacon and hot dogs, which are often high in saturated fat and sodium, should be limited.

The Academy strives to communicate healthy eating messages that emphasize a balance of food and beverages within energy needs, rather than any one food or meal. According to the Academy’s Total Diet Approach to Healthy Eating position paper, when too much emphasis is given to a single food or food component, confusion and controversy can hinder, rather than facilitate, consumers’ ability to adopt healthy dietary patterns.

Anyone who is concerned about how red meat can be included into a healthy eating plan should consult a registered dietitian nutritionist. Visit www.eatright.org to learn more.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 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.

Celebrate National Food Safety Education Month with Advice From the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

CHICAGO – September is National Food Safety Education Month and the perfect time to teach consumers the importance of food safety and reducing the risk of food poisoning. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges everyone to take time during September to reinforce proper food safety practices in their homes.

Each year in the United States, about 48 million people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die from foodborne disease.  However, many people don’t recognize the serious nature of food poisoning and often confuse symptoms with those of the common flu. “Food poisoning is a legitimate concern and it is essential that everyone understands the risk and learns proper food safety practices,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy Spokesperson Torey Armul.

Food Safety Education Is Key

Reducing food poisoning by just 1 percent would keep approximately half a million Americans from getting sick each year. One of the best ways to reduce the risk of food poisoning is to educate consumers on proper food safety practices that they can implement in their homes.

“Many people assume restaurant meals are a cause of food poisoning, but in reality one-third of all food poisoning cases are caused by food prepared at home,” Armul says. “Keeping food safe is critical, whether cooking a holiday feast or reheating leftovers.”

A University of California-Davis consumer research study revealed that many consumers overlook safe food preparation practices in their homes. According to the study, 65 percent of participants did not wash their hands before starting meal preparation and 40 percent of participants undercooked their chicken.

“Education is just the first step,” Armul says. “Making those food safety practices part of the food preparation routine is next.”

Resources Are Available

Food safety education is critical - that is why the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has partnered with ConAgra Foods to develop the Home Food Safety program. Through this program, the Academy offers a library of free resources on www.HomeFoodSafety.org. The website includes articles, downloadable guides, how-to videos, educational infographics and much more.

For food safety information on-the-go, the Home Food Safety program also offers the free Is My Food Safe? mobile app. This app includes a food storage guide, a complete list of proper internal cooking temperatures and a food safety quiz to test your knowledge.

During September and beyond, take time to remember the importance of food safety.

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The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 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 Commends Strong, Evidence-Based Dietary Guidelines Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, commends the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee for drafting a strong, evidence-based Scientific Report outlining recommendations and rational for the forthcoming 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Academy supports these recommendations that will improve how and what Americans eat.

“The Academy applauds the evidence-based systematic review of the literature, which is vital to the DGAC’s assessment of the science,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Sonja L. Connor. “We commend the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture for their commitment to the Nutrition Evidence Library and their ongoing efforts to strengthen the evidence-based approach for assessing the scientific literature for future dietary recommendations.”

In comments recently submitted to USDA and HHS, the Academy supports the DGAC in its decision to drop dietary cholesterol from the nutrients of concern list and recommends it deemphasize saturated fat from nutrients of concern, given the lack of evidence connecting it with cardiovascular disease.

“Despite some criticism suggesting that changed recommendations illustrate concerns about the validity of the nutrition science upon which the Dietary Guidelines are based, the DGAC should change its recommendations to be consistent with the best available science and to abide by its statutory mandate,” Connor said.

The Academy also expresses concern over blanket sodium restriction recommendations in light of recent evidence of potential harm to the overall population. “There is a distinct and growing lack of scientific consensus on making a single sodium consumption recommendation for all Americans, owing to a growing body of research suggesting that the low sodium intake levels recommended by the DGAC are actually associated with increased mortality for healthy individuals,” Connor said.

The Academy supports an increased focus on reduction of added sugars as a key public health concern. “Among the identified cross-cutting issues, the evidence is strongest that a reduction in the intake of added sugars will improve the health of the American public. The identification and recognition of the specific health risks posed by added sugars represents an important step forward for public health,” Connor said.

In its comments, Academy also emphasizes that enhanced nutrition education is imperative to any effective implementation. “It is critical to ensure that individuals making diet and behavior changes in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines have access to the resources and support necessary to succeed. HHS and USDA must have sufficient resources to commit to improving a number of initiatives,” Connor said.

“The Academy appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Scientific Report and to serve as a resource to HHS and USDA as they finalize the 2015 Dietary Guidelines and develop resources to implement and promote their use,” Connor said.

The final 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are expected to be released at the end of this year.

‘Bite Into A Healthy Lifestyle’ With Informed Food Choices During National Nutrition Month® And Beyond, Says Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics

FOR RELEASE JANUARY 27, 2015

CHICAGO – An eating pattern that meets people’s nutrient needs within calorie limits is vital to maintaining good health and quality of life. That’s why the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is encouraging everyone to “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle” with informed food choices during National Nutrition Month® 2015 and throughout the year.

“A healthy lifestyle is about so much more than just choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables. While that is important, it’s also essential to make informed food choices based on your individual health and nutrient needs,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy Spokesperson Marjorie Nolan Cohn. “Knowing which nutrients your body needs, the foods that contain them, and how much fits into your healthy eating plan are all part of making smart choices.”

Each March, the Academy encourages Americans to return to the basics of healthy eating through National Nutrition Month®. This year’s theme encourages consumers to adopt a healthy lifestyle that is focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health.

Learn your needs

Age, gender, body type, family history, existing health conditions and daily routines all play a factor in determining which foods we should eat more of and which we should avoid when trying to optimize our health.

“A consultation with a registered dietitian nutritionist is the best tool for learning what your body needs to achieve peak health and prevent disease,” Cohn says. “An RDN will review your health history, and then work with your preferences and routine to put together a comprehensive and achievable lifestyle-based eating plan.”

Find your foods

Understanding what is in food is essential to making informed food choices while building an eating plan that meets your tastes.

“This may sound simple, but knowing which foods contain the nutrients you need is the next step in biting into a healthy lifestyle,” Cohn says. “For instance, most people know that oranges are a good source of vitamin C, but so are tomatoes and potatoes. Dairy foods like milk are a good source of calcium, but so is broccoli. Fruits and vegetables provide fiber, but so do whole grains and beans. A registered dietitian nutritionist can guide your food choices while keeping your tastes and preferences in mind.”

Know the facts

When food selections go beyond whole foods and into packaged foods, understanding what fits and what doesn’t may not be as clear.

“Front-of-package nutrition claims, ingredient lists and Nutrition Facts Panels can make any food choice dizzying, but with a few tips from an RDN, that task will be less daunting,” Cohn says.

“The higher an ingredient is on the list, the more of that ingredient is included compared to the others. This is a good way to determine if a particular food product is made with whole grains or has a lot of added sugar,” Cohn says.

“Often when an ingredient like salt or fat is reduced, more of another ingredient is added to help keep taste consistent,” Cohn says. “So, no matter what the claim is on the front of the package, it’s important to always read the Nutrition Facts Panel to determine how many calories and how much fat, sugar and salt a are in the package.”

Making the right food and nutrition choices is a necessary part of biting into a healthy lifestyle. A registered dietitian nutritionist can help. To learn more and to find an RDN in your area visit www.eatright.org.

As part of this public education campaign, the Academy’s National Nutrition Month website includes a variety of helpful tips, games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition based on the “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle” theme.

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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 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

This National Nutrition Month® Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Encourages Everyone To ‘Bite Into a Healthy Lifestyle’

FOR RELEASE JANUARY 14, 2015

CHICAGO – There is no one food, drink, pill or machine that is the key to achieving optimal health. A person’s overall daily routine is what is most important. That is why, as part of National Nutrition Month® 2015, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges everyone to “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle.”

             

Each March, the Academy encourages Americans to return to the basics of healthful eating through National Nutrition Month. This year’s theme encourages consumers to adopt a healthy lifestyle that is focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health.

“A healthy lifestyle – one based on regular physical activity and an eating pattern chosen to meet individual nutrient needs within calorie limits – is vital to maintaining good health and quality of life,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Sonja Connor. “This year’s ‘Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle’ theme gives consumers an easy reminder that achieving optimal health is not about a specific food or time or year, but rather a life-long commitment that leaves plenty of time for the foods and activities we love.”

The Academy strives to communicate healthful eating messages that emphasize balancing food and beverages within an individual’s energy needs, rather than focusing on any one specific food or meal. To this end, it is the Academy’s position that improving overall health requires a lifelong commitment to healthful lifestyle behaviors, emphasizing sustainable and enjoyable eating practices and daily physical activity. 

“The key is determining the lifestyle balance that provides the body what it needs, while still allowing room for the foods and activities we enjoy most,” Connor said. “This is where the expertise of registered dietitian nutritionists plays such a key role. RDNs work with consumers to find balance and create sustainable eating and physical activity plans that fit their tastes and routines.”

Initiated in 1973 as a week-long event, “National Nutrition Week” became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition.

To commemorate the dedication of registered dietitian nutritionists as the leading advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world, the second Wednesday of each March is celebrated as “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day.” This year Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day will be celebrated March 11.

As part of this public education campaign, the Academy’sNational Nutrition Month website includes a variety of helpful tips, games, promotional tools and educational resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition based on the “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle” theme.

 

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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 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.