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What Is ADA?
The American Dietetic Association is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.
ADA was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1917 by a visionary group of women, led by Lenna F. Cooper and ADA’s first president, Lulu C. Graves, who were dedicated to helping the government conserve food and improve the public’s health and nutrition in World War I.
ADA Leaders 2008-2009
ADA is led by a Board of Directors comprised of national leaders in food, nutrition and health.
- President: Martin M. Yadrick, MS, MBA, RD, FADA
- President-elect: Jessie M. Pavlinac, MS, RD, CSR, LD
- Speaker of the House: Marsha K. Schofield, MS, RD, LD
- Chief Executive Officer: Patricia M. Babjak
ADA Members
Approximately 75 percent of ADA’s nearly 69,000 members are registered dietitians (RDs) and four percent are dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs). Other members include consultants, educators, researchers and students. Nearly half of all ADA members hold advanced academic degrees.
ADA members represent a wide range of practice areas and interests including public health; sports nutrition; medical nutrition therapy; diet counseling, cholesterol reduction, diabetes, heart and kidney disease; vegetarianism; foodservice management, hospitals, restaurants, long-term care facilities and education systems; education of other health-care professionals and scientific research.
ADA Location
Headquarters
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Phone: 800/877-1600
Washington office
1120 Connecticut Avenue N.W., Suite 480
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 800/877-0877
Media Contact To contact ADA's Public Relations Team, e-mail media@eatright.org.
ADA Web Site
www.eatright.org/
Reliable Nutrition Information for the Public
ADA’s dynamic Web site, www.eatright.org/, contains a wealth of nutrition information for consumers and the media, featuring approximately 5,000 pages of content from news releases and consumer tips to Nutrition Fact Sheets, consumer FAQs and the Good Nutrition Reading List. Consumers seeking the services of a registered dietitian can use the Find a Nutrition Professional feature on ADA’s Web site. In addition, www.eatright.org offers links to many other nutrition-oriented sites.
Credentialing Agency for Dietetics Professionals
The 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 dietetics profession, including successful completion of its national certification examination and recertification by continuing professional education or examination.
Professional Educational Programs
ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education as the accrediting agency for education programs that prepare dietetics professionals. Through the accreditation and approval of more than 600 undergraduate and graduate didactic, dietetic technician and supervised practice programs, CADE ensures that entry-level education meets quality standards.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
The most widely read peer-reviewed periodical in the dietetics field, the monthly Journal brings original research, critical reviews and reports and authoritative commentary and information to nutrition and dietetics professionals throughout the world. Access the table of contents, research study abstracts and selected articles at www.adajournal.org/.
ADA Foundation
The American Dietetic Association Foundation was established in 1966 as a 501(C)(3) public charity. Its mission is to fund the future of dietetics through research and education. ADAF achieves its goals by providing support for research, education and public awareness programs and is the largest grantor of scholarships in nutrition and dietetics. For the 2008–09 academic year, ADAF has invested in the future of the dietetics profession by awarding approximately $280,000 to more than 220 students through graduate, undergraduate and continuing education scholarships.
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American Dietetic Association’s New Strategic Plan
The plan was activated by the Board of Directors effective June 1, 2008. Member and non-member survey results show overwhelming support for ADA's new strategic direction.
ADA's Mission
Empower members to be the nation's food and nutrition leaders
ADA's Vision
Optimize the nation's health through food and nutrition
Affiliated Associations
Fifty state dietetic associations, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the American Overseas Dietetic Association, are affiliated with ADA. Within these groups, there are approximately 230 district associations.
What Is a Registered Dietitian?
A registered dietitian is a food and nutrition expert who has met academic and professional requirements including:
- Bachelor's degree with course work approved by ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.
- Complete an accredited, supervised, experiential practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or foodservice corporation.
- Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
- Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition and diabetes education. About half of all registered dietitians work in clinical settings, private practice or health-care facilities.
What Is a Dietetic Technician, Registered?
A dietetic technician, registered, often working in partnership with registered dietitians, screens, evaluates and educates patients; manages and prevents diseases such as diabetes and obesity and monitors patients’ and clients’ progress. DTRs work in settings such as hospitals and clinics, extended-care facilities, home health-care programs, schools, correctional facilities, restaurants, food companies, foodservice providers, public health agencies, government and community programs such as Meals on Wheels, health clubs, weight management clinics and wellness centers. DTRs must complete a two-year college degree in an approved dietetic technician program, have supervised practice experience and pass a nationwide examination to earn the DTR credential and must complete continuing education courses throughout their careers.
National Nutrition Month®
ADA offers consumers timely, objective food and nutrition information through numerous programs and services. National Nutrition Month, created in 1973 and celebrated in March, promotes healthful eating and provides practical nutrition guidance.
Registered Dietitian Day, celebrated for the first time in 2007, recognizes RDs’ countless contributions to the health of the public.
ADA Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo
Each fall, the American Dietetic Association sponsors the world’s largest meeting of food and nutrition experts. The 2008 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo will be October 25–28 in Chicago. Every year, ADA brings together more than 10,000 registered dietitians, nutrition science researchers, policy makers, health-care providers and industry leaders to address key issues affecting the health of America. ADA’s annual meeting features more than 100 research and educational presentations, lectures, debates, panel discussions and culinary demonstrations. More than 400 exhibitors from corporations, government and nonprofit agencies showcase new consumer food products and nutrition education materials.
Future FNCE dates
- October 17–20, 2009: Denver
- November 6–9, 2010: Boston
- September 24–27, 2011: San Diego
- October 6–8, 2012: Philadelphia
Government and Public Policy
ADA’s government affairs office, based in Washington, D.C., works with state and federal legislators and agencies on public policy issues affecting consumers and the practice of dietetics, including Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy; licensure of registered dietitians; child nutrition; obesity; food safety; the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and other health and nutrition priorities.
ADA Position Statements
ADA regularly produces and updates Position Statements of the Association’s official stance on issues that affect the nutritional and health status of the public. Position Statements address issues such as children’s health, food technology and safety, public health, consumer education, health-care reform, elderly nutrition and health-care provider education. ADA Position Statements are derived from the latest available research and facts. Texts of ADA Position Statements are available on www.eatright.org.
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