Final answer:
Documents from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, such as the Code of Ethics and Scopes of Practice, guide RDNs and NDTRs in their professional conduct. RDNs provide critical nutrition services, especially in managing obesity and related diseases. Becoming a registered dietitian requires a bachelor's degree, a supervised internship, and passing a national exam.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has published numerous documents to guide Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs) in their practices. Among these important documents are The Academy's Code of Ethics and Scopes of Practice for the RDN and NDTR, which provide a framework for professional conduct and outline the competences expected of professionals in the field. Furthermore, practice standards documents, including position and practice papers as well as coverage coding and billing information, support RDNs and NDTRs in providing high-quality care and securing appropriate reimbursement for their services. Resources such as the Scope of Practice Decision Tool, Nutrition Care Manual, Evidence Analysis Library, and defined terms also serve as cornerstones for evidence-based practice and informed decision-making in dietetic practice.
Registered dietitians play a critical role in health care, particularly in addressing obesity and related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. They design personalized nutrition plans to treat and prevent diseases, often by teaching patients how to balance their intake of macronutrients, such as advising patients with diabetes on their intake of carbohydrates. The educational pathway to becoming a registered dietitian includes earning at least a bachelor's degree in dietetics or a related field, completing an accredited internship program, and passing a national exam. Dietitians must master subjects like nutrition, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, and human physiology to fulfill their role effectively.