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IDACON 2016 spreads awareness about choosing right kind of food

Many who claim to be dietecian, actually are not.

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Dietetics is beyond weight loss and an integral part of health care, said Indian Dietetics Association in their annual conference in Mumbai. While speaking to dna, the association said that these days, the field has more quacks and people are falling prey to it specially to lose weight. In its three day conference, which ended on Sunday, the association aimed at spreading awareness among common man by inviting them for public forum with registered dieticians via advertisement on BEST buses.

"There are many self proclaimed people who have lost weight themselves and have become dieticians. Weight loss is just a facet of dietetics. People should seek only registered dieticians help and not fall prey to quacks," said Shilpa Joshi, national executive committee member, IDA.

According to IDA, there are around 600 registered dieticians in Mumbai. However, the number of non registered dieticians are more. "A qualified dietician undergoes seven years of study. But, there are many courses that offer six months diploma. Each of these course, churns out 25-30 people who start practising as dieticians even if they do not have any knowledge. This has become a huge challenge for us," said Naaznin Husein, President, IDA Mumbai. She added that there are many sub specialities in dietetics like lifestyle and wellness, sports, critical care, renal etc.

The dieticians participating in the conference, IDACON 2016 said that dietetics is scientific and evidence based. "Right from womb to old-age, food plays a crucial role in the overall well being. Therefore, awareness on right food choice on sound scientific basis is a must," said Salome Benjamin, chairperson of registered dieticians, IDA.

Dieticians agreed that food fad is a challenge which can only be dealt with awareness. Joshi said that a qualified dietician will never omit any food group from the diet. "Food is medicine and we need to respect it. A qualified dietician will include all food groups keeping in mind Science," added Joshi.


 

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