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About the Academy

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of nutrition and dietetics through research, education and advocacy.

The Academy was founded as the American Dietetic Association in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1917 by a visionary group of women who were dedicated to helping the government conserve food and improve the public’s health and nutrition during World War I. The organization changed its name in 2012 to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Vision: A world where all people thrive through the transformative power of food and nutrition

Mission: Accelerate improvements in global health and well-being through food and nutrition

Principles: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and our members…

  • Amplify the contribution and value of diverse nutrition and dietetics practitioners to the public
  • Position registered dietitian nutritionists as the experts in food and nutrition
  • Expand workforce demand and capacity
  • Incorporate research, professional development, technology and practice to foster innovation and discovery
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders to solve the greatest food and nutrition challenges, now and in the future
  • Focus on making a system-wide impact across the food, well-being and health care sectors
  • Have a global impact in eliminating all forms of malnutrition.

Membership

Approximately 72% of the Academy’s members are registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) and 2% are nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered (NDTRs). Other members include allied health professionals, educators, researchers and students. More than half of all Academy members hold advanced academic degrees.

Academy members represent a wide range of practice areas and interests including public health, nutrition counseling, private practice, foodservice management, grocery stores and chains, hospitals and long-term care facilities, education systems, education of other health care professionals and scientific research.

Organizational Units

The Academy is led by a Board of Directors comprised of national leaders in nutrition and health. The nutrition and dietetics profession is governed by a House of Delegates.

  • Academy Foundation: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation was established in 1966 as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Its mission is to fund the future of nutrition and dietetics through research and education. The Foundation achieves its goals by providing support for research, education and public awareness programs and is the largest grantor of scholarships in nutrition and dietetics.
  • Academy Groups: Dietetic Practice Groups are professional-interest groups made up of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics members who wish to connect with other members within a particular practice area. Member Interest Groups are groups of Academy members who have a common interest, reflecting the diverse characteristics of the Academy's membership and the public it serves.
  • Affiliate Associations: Fifty state dietetic associations, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, are affiliated with the Academy. Within these groups, there are about 230 district associations.
  • Credentialing Agency: The Academy’s Commission on Dietetic Registration awards credentials to individuals at entry and specialty levels who have met CDR’s standards for competency to practice in the nutrition and dietetics profession, including successful completion of its national certification examination and recertification by continuing professional education or examination.
  • Education Accreditation: The Academy’s Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the only accrediting agency for education programs that prepare registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered. Through the accreditation of more than 600 undergraduate and graduate coordinated, didactic, dietetics technician and supervised practice programs in nutrition and dietetics, ACEND ensures entry-level education meets quality standards.
  • Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors: Comprised of more than 1,350 educators and preceptors, NDEP’s goals are to recognize educators and preceptors as leaders of the profession, support and advance nutrition and dietetic education programs, and to support the Academy’s priorities and goals.

Campaigns

National Nutrition Month®

The Academy offers consumers timely, objective food and
nutrition information through numerous programs and services. National Nutrition Month®, created in 1973 and celebrated each March, promotes healthful eating and provides practical nutrition guidance.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day and Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered Day

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day was created in 2007 to recognize RDNs’ countless contributions to the health of the public. And the Academy celebrates Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered Day, honoring the contributions and experience of NDTRs in the delivery of safe, culturally competent, quality food and nutrition services.

Kids Eat Right Month®

Celebrated each August to highlight the role everyone — from registered dietitian nutritionists to parents and educators — plays in ensuring a healthy future for children. Kids Eat Right Month® focuses on the importance of healthful eating and active lifestyles for children and families, featuring expert information from registered dietitian nutritionists.

Websites

eatright.org for consumers, where members of the public can learn about nutrition and health through science-based articles, videos and recipes, as well as connect with nutrition experts and learn more about becoming an RDN or NDTR.

eatrightPRO.org for practitioners, where Academy members can access benefits such as the Latest News in the profession, product and event discounts, client education materials, career development resources and more.

eatrightSTORE.org for products such as books, pocket guides, client education and study guides, plus continuing professional education activities such as webinars and certificates of training.

eatrightCPE.org, the Academy’s learning management system (LMS), where members can complete online CPE activities such as webinars, FNCE® recorded sessions and certificates of training.

eatrightFNCE.org for the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo® — the world’s largest meeting of food and nutrition experts, including RDNs, NDTRs, researchers, policymakers, health care providers and industry leaders addressing key issues affecting the health of all Americans.

Social Media

For consumers:

For practitioners:

Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo®:

Location

Headquarters Office

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606
800/877-1600

Government Relations Office

1150 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 615
Washington, DC 20036

Join the Academy

Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics receive exciting benefits including complimentary continuing professional education opportunities, discounts on events and products in eatrightSTORE.org, invitations to exclusive members-only events and more!

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