ADA Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo, San Diego Convention Centre, Saturday 24-Tuesday 27 September 2011

Citation

(2012), "ADA Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo, San Diego Convention Centre, Saturday 24-Tuesday 27 September 2011", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 42 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2012.01742aaa.025

ADA Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo, San Diego Convention Centre, Saturday 24-Tuesday 27 September 2011

Article Type: Conference report From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 42, Issue 1

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) Conference is the largest in the world and this year was attended by over 10,000 members.

The ADA has been in existence since 1917, after working to feed the troops healthfully during the First World War. Protecting the nutritional health of our citizens is their highest priority.

“Toward the goal of increasing our potential and our impact”, Past President Judith Rodriguez announced a year ago that ADA would be seeking a new name for our organization to better suit our forward-thinking mission and vision: a name that addresses prevention and wellness as well as therapy; a name that would resonate immediately with our members, the public, the media – literally everyone who hears it; and a name that reflects our science-based expertise. Surveys revealed the majority of ADA members believe the organization should have a new name that more accurately reflects what its members do. After an extensive review, ADA’s Board of Directors voted in August to adopt a new name.

“As of January 2012, we will be the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics This is a name that immediately and fully complements the focus: the nutritional well-being of the American public. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promotes the strong science background and expertise of our members, primarily registered dietitians. Nutrition science underpins wellness, prevention and treatment”.

“An academy is ‘a society of learned persons organized to advance science.’ This term describes our organization and immediately emphasizes the educational strength of our advice and expertise. By adding nutrition to the name, they communicate our capacity for translating nutrition science into healthier lifestyles for everyone. Keeping dietetics supports the history as a food and science-based profession. Whether planning nutritious meals for children in day-care centers or schools, teaching individuals with diabetes about managing their blood sugar or saving lives with complex nutritional interventions after surgery, registered dietitians are the best-qualified providers”.

“The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics quickly and accurately communicates this identity”.

The award-winning web site will remain www.eatright.org. The colorful Eat Right logo will stay a part of the organization’s graphic identity. Eat Right is our most powerful message and it aligns strategically with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The conference had three concurrent sessions, which covered all aspects of dietetics. Key ones were on:

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  integrating nutrition into maths;

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  the war on obesity;

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  reaching deserving communities;

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  dietary guidelines;

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  sweeteners;

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  diet and autism;

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  gluten; and

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  nutrition education.

The conference was accompanied by a large exhibition of trade stands, which also included cookery demonstration plus input from members.

Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo will take place on 6-9 October 2012 in Philadelphia, PA. More details will be posted as they become available.