The number of nutritionists employed at state, federal and local level is rising across the globe. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the need for public health nutritionists will exhibit 15% rise by 2026. 

Public Health Nutrition

Nutrition, food science and dietetics are important and integral for healthcare delivery, solving public health challenges related to nutrition and dietetics. Public Health Nutrition is aimed at understanding the causes, approaches and solutions related to public health situations, problems and achievements in nutrition around the world; promotion of good health through nutrition and prevention of nutrition related diseases. A career in public health nutrition requires sufficient education and training to oversee population health and ensure effective decision-making for larger groups of people. 

Colleges and universities offer under-graduation, postgraduate and doctorate level nutrition programs. Undergraduate studies with majors in nutrition, dietetics, food science or any other related field focuses on a variety of topics designed to prepare students for a career in public health nutrition. Undergraduate nutrition program provides coursework, training, internship and practical experience in public or private environmental settings. Individuals may pursue advanced education with a Master’s or Doctorate Degree in public health nutrition for strong credentials required in attaining a higher-rank job. The areas covered during such programs include principles of nutrition, fundamentals of food science, nutrition counselling, community nutrition and food safety practices.

Career in Public Health Nutrition

Nutritionists influence decisions and policies that impact communities and larger groups of people. The potential of a rewarding career as a public health nutritionist is possible with proper education, licensing and certification. Undergraduate study in public health nutrition portrays the educational route leading to a career as a nutritionist. This undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree is the minimum level of education needed for a career as a public health nutritionist. Public health nutritionists acquire good public speaking and communication skills while training for such a role to give a multitude of presentations. Public health nutritionists have to lean on formal educational training to fully understand the scope of problems that exist in a certain community. 

A public health nutritionist operates differently, focuses on public health and contributes in decision-making processes that affect population and communities. The regular responsibilities involve promoting healthy eating habits, creating specific meal plans, evaluating effectiveness of existing nutritional plans, developing dietary policies, organising groups and committee consultations. Nutritionists have a well-rounded profession that entails attending conferences, meetings and seminars to collect updated information. Nutritionists conduct research, analyze results, consult with specialists and make recommendations. Public health nutritionists undertake a supervisory role in overseeing compliance protocol or position of authority to recommend the appropriate plans and policies to improve the quality of nutrition among the public. Public Health nutritionists can work in hospitals, schools, local government and private organizations involved in some type of food service or distribution. 

MPH Program at James Lind Institute

The James Lind Institute MPH program in Nutrition and Dietetics is designed to provide a strong background in the core concepts of nutrition linked to public health. The comprehensive curriculum in Master of Public Health (MPH) – Nutrition and Dietetics program has been designed to ensure development of strong knowledge and skills in the practice of Public Health Nutrition and Dietetics. The program renders thorough understanding of the concept of food safety, food preservation and microbiology; strong hands-on learning approach and exposure to skill-based learning on medical aspects of nutrition. This program utilizes techniques and methodologies to provide understanding of challenges existing in the field of nutrition and health, effect of nutrition on the community health, food science and diet-related aspects of public health. MPH program in Nutrition and Dietetics at JLI has been developed for learners to focus on community and population health. This intense program on completion is expected to provide an advanced understanding of nutrition, dietetics and food science.

Students are expected to develop skills, broad understanding and deep knowledge to undertake the responsibility of advising the general population, patients and policymakers on effective strategies required for combating nutrition and diet related challenges. Students are also exposed to skills that help support treatment regimens and medical nutritional plans in various healthcare set-ups to deal with lifestyle-related diseases, cancer and allergies among patients. Mentors and experts help students to find research opportunities, internships and project work within organizations involved in nutrition, dietetics and public health. This opens pathways to aspirants within broader public health settings of the food industry, public healthcare agencies, community healthcare organizations, media, academia, government and non-governmental organizations. The students are equipped to assume roles of consultant and patient advocate in an attempt to improve accessibility to healthcare services, policy development, community education and awareness.