The Real Meaning of RD

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Most of us understand that the acronymRD means registered dietitian. This blogger is trying to drawattention to her blog and states, “RD does NOT stand for “ReallyDumb”.” Yes, Adele Hite is poking fun at herself and heroccupation, but at the same time is very serious about the idea thather profession needs change. She uses an excellent example like thelast link in her first paragraph referencing a very controversial article from the Huffington Post.
I am not sure why one of their ownwould take this provocative stance, but she has taken on herprofessional organization before and probably will again. I stronglyagree with Adele that the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)has gone too far in their attempt to become the only source ofrecognized nutritional advice. I even agree that this attempt isbackfiring on them and some states are even considering (but to-datenone have) stopping all licensing of RDs. My own State of Iowa istaking a hard look at the licensure of registered dietitians,presently now allowing them to expand their over reach.
Would I say that even currentregistered dietitians are rebelling against their own professionalorganization? Maybe, but a few people may be trying to reorganize itfrom within. This may be surprising, but if the current peopleremain at the helm, the organization will soon be a shell of what itwas. Following the pronouncements of the American DiabetesAssociation (ADA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) willnot lead to good nutrition of any type. Many of her links do pointout the fallacy being promoted by the AND.
The blogger speaks the truth about theAND putting restrictions on its members about avoiding even theappearance of a conflict of interest, but the Academy receivesits funds from the food industry and the pharmaceutical industry andclearly has the appearance of solid conflict of interest. This isdefinitely speaking with forked tongue by a professionalorganization. Does “do what I say – not what I do” fit thesituation.
Quoting from the blog an importantpoint “On the other hand, the “partyline” approaches for weight loss are so ineffective, the federalgovernment (and many states) won’t cover many dietitian services tohelp people lose weight. According to Dr. Wendy Long, chief medicalofficer of TennCare:
“There’sreally no evidence to support the fact that providing those services[from dietitians] would result in a decrease in medical cost,certainly not immediately, and even in the longer term.”
This lack ofevidence may be due in part to the (sadly) limited scope of dieteticeducation and practice. The AND treats the USDA as if it is ascientific authority and not a government agency whose first mandateis to “strengthen the American agricultural economy.” It limitsthe training of RDs to USDA/HHS-approved diet recommendations despitethe fact that even mainstream nutrition establishment scientists feelthat the current US dietary recommendations are misguided andinappropriate.”
Follow the links in her blog to readwhat is behind her statements. I can only say that it would be smartto read carefully her full blog and if you have interests in this, tofollow and read many of the links within her blog. I will only saythat I am thoroughly enjoying reading her blog at this time. Isincerely hope to do an interview with her in the future. I fullysupport her position and hope that she continues to enlighten us. Asa patient with diabetes, there is hope that changes will take placeand either AND will change (doubtful), or a new organization willemerge to give us the correct nutritional advice we so desperatelyneed.
We can all thank her for pullingtogether a few of the people knowledgeable about nutrition anddietetics that are working to correct the misinformation beingfoisted upon us by AND, ADA, and USDA. It is sad that the RDs thatwork for the USDA must spout the whole grains/low fat mantra to keeptheir jobs.