Nutritionist

To obtain the Nutritionist title, one must have studied at a recognized university for four years plus a year practice (internship). The nutritionists are registered at the Conselho Regional de Nutrição (Regional Council of Nutrition).[4] A Nutritionist can prescribe diets, work at hospitals with clinical intervention, or in food production segment.

There is variation across the country with different provinces having different regulations. The title "nutritionist" is protected by provincial law in Quebec and Nova Scotia. The term "Registered Nutritionist" or "Nutritionist" is protected[5] in Alberta. The term “Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist” is protected by law in New Brunswick.[6]

For example, the Nova Scotia Dietetic Association is the regulatory body for professional dietitians and nutritionists in that province, authorized by legislation, the Professional Dietitians Act, "to engage in registration, quality assurance, and when necessary, the discipline of dietitians in Nova Scotia to ensure safe, ethical and competent dietetic practice." Professional requirements include a bachelor's degree in Dietetics/Nutrition from an accredited university, a program of practical training, and successful completion of a registration examination (the "Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination" or CDRE).[7]

Qualified Nutritionist: Any person who is the holder of a degree (baccalaureate, master, doctoral) in dietetics, foods, and nutrition awarded by a university or other institution recognized by the Association. Qualified Dietitian: Any person who is currently holder of a degree or a postgraduate diploma in dietetics recognized by the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (Dietitian Board), the American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, British Dietetic Association and Dietitians Australia,[8] for full membership or equivalent. Details can be found in the Hong Kong Nutrition Association. Job opportunities available in the Hospitals (Government or Private), private consultation companies. In Hong Kong, more and more people are taking note of the importance of balanced diets. The Government, Heart Foundation, Elderly Associations, etc., are keenly promoting in collaboration with local companies like WeCare Nutritionist and Consultants, Nestle, Anlene, etc., resulting in the urgent needs of nutritional professionals.

In Morocco, "Nutritionist" is a protected title and might refer to a researcher in the field of nutrition or to a person who practices therapeutic nutrition. To hold the title of Nutritionist, a person should have carried doctoral studies in the field of nutrition and obtained a Ph.D. degree. On the other hand, the title of "Dietitian" is given to whoever carries studies in nutrition schools for three years and obtains a B.Sc. However, unlike Nutritionists, Dietitians are not given authorization to open private offices and to practice.

In South Africa, nutritionists must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.[9] The Council regulates the professional titles of "Nutritionist", "Student Nutritionist", and "Supplementary Nutritionist", along with "Dietitian", "Student Dietitian", and Supplementary Dietitian". Requirements for eligibility for registration include a recognized bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution. The undergraduate training should include the three practice areas of therapeutic nutrition, community nutrition, and food service management.

"Nutritionist" is not a protected term in the UK, unlike "dietitian"; the latter must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. The Association for Nutrition[10] is a registered charity that holds the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN) and is recognised by Public Health England, NHS Careers as the regulator of Registered Nutritionists in the UK, with individuals requiring a minimum of an Honours Degree in nutrition science alongside a commitment to a set of standards for ethics, conduct and performance to become allowed entry to the UKVRN and conferred the title Registered Associate Nutritionist (ANutr) or Registered Nutritionist (RNutr).[10]

Since 2002, the number of jobs for nutritionists has reportedly grown faster in the National Health Service (NHS) than in any other sector.[11] The NHS states that "Dietitians and nutritionists have different roles and training and are regulated by different bodies."[11] The growth of the nutritionist career could be due to an increasing focus on disease prevention, which is firmly within the remit and expertise of public health nutritionists, rather than just a focus on disease treatment and the clinical domain of dietitians.

In the United States, some nutritionists are certified by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS), while other nutritionists are certified by the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CCN).[12] Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS) are professionals who have an advanced degree in nutrition from a fully accredited institution. There are three distinct certification pathways, which include the CNS for Nutrition and Health Professionals (CNS), CNS for MDs and DOs (CNS), and CNS for Scholars (CNS-S).[13] To be award the CNS credential, Nutrition and Health Professional candidates must complete 1,000 supervised practice experience hours. They must also pass an examination that covers a spectrum of nutritional science and applied clinical topics.[14] CNS practitioners commonly work in private, functional medicine, and integrative health practices.

Registered dietitian nutritionists (RD; RDN)[15] are health professionals qualified to provide safe, evidence-based dietary advice which includes a review of what is eaten, a thorough review of nutritional health, and a personalized nutritional treatment plan. They also provide preventive and therapeutic programs at work places, schools and similar institutions. Government regulation, especially in terms of licensing, is currently more universal for the RD or RDN than that of CCN.

Certified Clinical Nutritionists (CCN) are trained health professionals who offer dietary advice on the role of nutrition in chronic disease, including possible prevention or remediation by addressing nutritional deficiencies before resorting to drugs.[16] Quackwatch has accused the group that provides credentialing to CCNs, and its members, of promoting highly dubious medical claims including homeopathy, detoxification, and herbalism.[17]