By: Elizabeth Rahavi, RD Date: 10/5/11

I’ve been a member of the American Dietetic Association for more than five years and have been working in the field of nutrition for many more. Exciting changes are happening within the profession and they were all evident at this year’s ADA Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in San Diego. Here are a few of my key insights from this meeting: 

·         Members: I’m proud to count myself as a member of ADA because it is very clear from sharing the city with more than 8,000 RDs who were in town for the meeting that we take our eat right and physical activity messages to heart. This was evident by the sold out oatmeal at the local coffee shop and the groups of smiling faces on the running paths. We are an active and healthy group of professionals.

·         The New ADA: As of January 2012 the American Dietetic Association will be known as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This name change reflects the science base in everything that we do and our expertise in communicating nutrition.

·         Civil Discourse: It was great to see some of the hot nutrition topics of the day, from the science of sugar to marketing to kids addressed in open forums with opposing viewpoints. These conversations are integral to having an informed profession that can accurately communicate science to their constituents.

·         Getting connected to the Global Food Supply: From understanding what it takes for a large quick-service restaurant to make a change to add more apples to their kids’ meals to learning how and where cocoa beans grow and what they look like, many exhibitors were taking the opportunity of being around thousands of RDs to connect them—and ultimately consumers—with the global food chain.

·         Kids EatRight: The First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, said it best, “We are at the frontlines in the battle against obesity, and we all know what a serious problem it is.” ADA members are working in communities throughout the U.S. through the ADA Foundation’s Kids EatRight Program and Let’s Move Initiatives to help make an impact on the health of American families. 

I’m delighted to be part of this profession of compassionate leaders who all strive to make an impact on the health of Americans. What more would you like ADA to do for you? If there is one big take-a-way I had from this year’s ADA FNCE, it’s that ADA  is not afraid to change with the times.