Nutrition and Dietics Courses in India

Nutrition and Dietetics Courses in India are identical to those offered abroad. This is peculiar as there are six major classes of nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, minerals, protein, vitamins, and water. And nutrition courses focus on these nutrients which are uniform all over. Nutrition and Dietetics is the scientific study of food preparation and intake. The study of nutrition is with metabolism and metabolic pathways. It also investigates the metabolic and physiological responses of the body to diet. Dieticians and Nutritionist's are health professionals who specialize in human nutrition, meal planning, economics and preparation. Dieticians or Nutritionists are involved in conducting research on the composition and nutritive values of various diets and meals and feeding programs, conducting nutrition surveys and other food programs. They fix nutritional regimens for patients in a hospital, athletes in physical training camps, and mountaineers on an expedition and so on.

Some of its specialized fields are -

• Nutrition in Health and Disease.
• Public Health Nutrition.
• Food Toxicology.
• Nutritional Physiology.
• Molecular Nutrition.
• Sensory Science.

Content

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

1. Basic Concepts of Diet Therapy.
2. Pulses.
3. Energy and Carbohydrates.
4. Nutrition in Pregnancy and Lactation.
5. Food Hygiene and Sanitation.
6. Practical.

Objectives

• To promote nutritious eating habits through education and research amongst the masses.
• To encourage, foster and maintain the highest possible standards in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• To create food products which are nutritious, cheap for distribution amongst those who are deprived of it.

Basic Requirements

To pursue B.Sc. in Nutrition & Dietetics need to have passed in Higher Secondary Examination or Plus two in science subjects covering physics, chemistry, home science and biology. Apart from the B.Sc. in Nutrition & Dietetics, other preferable fields of graduation are Home Science, Food Science and Technology, Medicine, Hotel management or Catering Technology.

At the post graduate level, Dietetics and nutrition course can be either 2 year Masters Programs or 1 year Post Graduate Diploma - Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health Nutrition (DDPHN). Those with Bachelors degree in food science, home science, hotel management & catering technology, microbiology, biochemistry and medicine are eligible for Post Graduate level Degrees or Diplomas. In a 2 year M.Sc. Home Science course, one can specialise in food science and nutrition. 

Nutrition & Dietetics Colleges & Universities

1. National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad.
3. Achariya College of Arts and Science, Villianur (Affiliated to Pondicherry University).
4. Assam Agricultural University, College of Home Science, Jorhat, Assam.
5. Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science, Mumbai.
6. Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam School of Science, Technology and Management, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
7. University of Pune, Maharashtra.

Personal Attributes

A candidate pursuing a career in Nutrition & Dietetics should have a genuine interest in food and food preparation. One should also have planning and administrative skills and organizational ability. Good communication skills to communicate with people individually and in groups and good writing skills for producing reports, leaflets etc are essential. Nutritionist should be fit and healthy so as to be able to work as a team member. 

Job Perspectives

People of the world are spending more and more office hours, they are involved in sedentary jobs which results in lack of exercise. Along with environment these habits add up to one's own stress level. The first preventive measure and individual can take is a balanced and healthy diet. It is here that the role of a Nutritionist comes into play in various levels of organisations like offices, schools, colleges etc., where their advice is needed to promote eating healthy food. Corporate and Health Industrialists require the services of a Food Specialist for their products and catering services. Most of Hospitals have a qualified Nutrition professional in their panel. Patients are offered diets as per recommendation of these Nutritionists. Increase in the awareness of eating quality food amongst the masses has increased the employment scope of Nutritionist. They can find employment in research labs of food manufacturers, catering departments of hotels, health departments and recreation clubs, teaching in colleges and universities. They can also work as consultants or do private practice. Some major Indian employers are Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Government of India etc.

Remuneration

The salary of a Nutrition & Dietetics professionals depends on the job and the area of work. In private hospitals, trainees may get starting salary of Rs. 10,000 per month and after they gain more experience their salary may range between Rs. 15,500 - 16,000 with benefits. Research work, teaching, catering jobs etc. can fetch much amount of salary. Consultant dieticians in private practice can earn more depending on their practice.

Some Job Types

• Consultants.
• Research Fellow.
• Food Show Host.
• Therapeutic Dietician.
• Administrative Nutritionists.
• Public Health / Community Dietician.
• Nutrition Trainer.
• Sports Nutritionist.

Some Employment Areas

• Hospitals.
• Airlines.
• Maternity and Child Health Care Centres.
• Homes for the Physically Handicapped and Mentally Retarded Persons.
• Training Institutes.
• Nutrition or Public Health Office.
• Hotels.
• Beauty Clinics.
• Institutional Canteens and Cafeterias.
• Research & Development Agencies.
• Social Welfare Departments.
• Public Health Departments.
• Sports Academies.