The Independent on Saturday

Why dieticians should be an integral part of your healing

- VUYILE MADWANTSI vuyile.madwantsi@inl.co.za

AS PEOPLE are becoming more health conscious, they have become reliant on dietary services to prevent or manage certain chronic diseases.

The prevention and treatment of diet-related disorders is a topic of global concern, according to a peerreview­ed study on “Dietary Assessment in Human Health and Disease”.

It says many nutrition-related diseases should be preventabl­e and treatable with an accurate assessment of food intake and eating behaviour, and balanced eating patterns should be preserved which dieticians accurately take stock of.

These health-care practition­ers evaluate the eating habits of patients as part of the nutritiona­l assessment process to recommend appropriat­e interventi­ons.

According to Omy Naidoo, the founder of Newtricion Wellness Dieticians, nutrition experts substantia­lly benefit society by assisting people in improving their health, nutrition, and overall well-being. They are committed to helping people live the healthiest lives possible.

A Scielo study estimates that 27% of the population is obese, with South African women having the highest obesity rates worldwide, which makes dieticians crucial to helping prevent such chronic illnesses.

Obesity rates are growing not only among the adult population but also among children in South Africa, increasing the burden of chronic diseases for the future as well.

Here are a few reasons why dieticians are important to society. They:

Run nutrition education programmes

Dieticians offer nutrition education programmes to inform the public about wholesome healthy eating habits and active lives. In other cases, they collaborat­e with people to improve food access, prevent diseases linked to poor nutrition, and enhance individual health management.

Help manage health conditions

Nutrition plays an important role in helping to manage and treat a number of chronic illnesses, including diabetes, hypertensi­on and high cholestero­l.

Help improve your health

It is well known that dieticians have a considerab­le impact on the health of many people since they understand how the foods people consume affect their health. The purpose of their work is to promote health through nutrition by planning and implementi­ng nutritiona­l programmes.

Educate the public on healthier dietary choices

Dieticians inform the public about better dietary and lifestyle choices. To help their patients maintain their health and lower their chance of developing chronic diseases, they also examine, monitor, and adjust the nutrition regimens of their patients as needed.

Assess health concerns

Dieticians are qualified to evaluate patients’ dietary requiremen­ts, create customised diet programmes,

and offer nutritiona­l counsellin­g. They frequently reduce mortality caused by poor eating by enhancing people’s dietary habits, general health, and sense of well-being.

“The takeaway is to consult a dietician since prevention is always preferable to treatment because there are many highly skilled dieticians in South Africa working in both the public and commercial sectors, said Naidoo.

 ?? ?? NUTRITION plays an important role in helping to manage and treat a number of chronic illnesses. | Pexels.
NUTRITION plays an important role in helping to manage and treat a number of chronic illnesses. | Pexels.

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