What do you think is the best avenue for educating people on healthy eating?

[Amy]

I'm new to this site, so just to give a brief intro about myself: I'm working as a Registered Dietitian doing diabetes education in an outpatient setting. I really enjoy my time with my patients and I find this a very rewarding field. But after three years at my current position, I want to branch out. I think our education program is wonderful, and I wish more people had access it such an indepth education program. My main concern is that I'm helping one patient at at time, while meanwhile fighting to correct all of the misinformation that is out there. Many people do not have the means to attend formal education classes, so they rely on friends and family members to give them dietary guidance, which is often times incorrect.

My goal is to utilize the internet to reach the masses, to promote RD's and do some serious PR to promote our organization. So I am interested in any feedback you can offer. If you were an average consumer, where would you look for nutrition information or dietary guidance? Is the internet something you think most people have access to? What other forms of mass media might help reach a large population? I would appreciate any feedback and recommendations!

[Amy]

Ok, let me expand this question a bit now. If you were looking for information regarding nutrition, whether for medical or personal reasons, where would you look first? How would you sift through all of the information that bombards us on tv, in magazines, online, etc. Do you tend to look for scientific data to support certain claims? Does testimony of others influence you?

And just out of curiosity, would something written by a nutritionist hold more weight? How about by a Registered Dietitian? (If you don't know what the difference is, this is exactly why I am asking!)

[Sugar and Sprouts]

One place I would start promoting RDs is on twitter. It seems VERY weird at first - you type in what you are doing at the moment you are typing, but it quickly becomes addictive and is a great PR tool. You can search for others who have a nutrition interest, etc.

If you do check it out, I am @sugarsprouts and would be happy to give you a shout out to the people "following" my tweets.

[Diana Young, RD, LD/N, CDE]

I'm on twitter. Are we following each other? I'll check to see. Anyway, I'm @menucoach

[Susana]

I started changing my lifestyle about twenty years ago when I met a woman that taught me a lot about good and bad proteins, good and bad carbohydrates, and so on. Since then, I'm always learning something new.

Internet is a good source of information but don't trust everything. I also read books. My husband and I research together and have our own conclusions.

[David]

Great question Amy.

I think that the Internet is definitely the route for R.D.'s to go. Especially with the need to reach more people with increased speed and ease without compromising your ability to advise them on their food and other nutrition and other issues.

The accessibility and efficiency factor that this affords, is going to be more needed, especially as people are starting to realize more and more about the complex interplay between food, and health.

That's why I am so impressed by the work that all three of you--including Lisa--have done with Iowa Avenue, Weight1Minute, and the Healthy Lifestyle Bloggers network.

Quite frankly, I think you guys are onto something major.
Keep up the great work.

[Susan]

Amy,

I come out of the advertising/marketing industry, with 12+ years in the Internet space.

Currently, over 70% of all US adults have broadband internet access either at home or through an outside connection (e.g., workplace, library, et al). As such, the internet is a tremendous means for educational purposes.

With that said, when it comes to medical advice, there is research that indicates that consumers prefer a "personal touch". As such, I agree with previous posters recommending video as a means for reaching the masses (video has a strong viral aspect), along with a strong SEO program for enabling the consumers to find the information.

[Metroknow]

Sorry I'm late to the conversation - its a great one!

While I definitely agree on the Internet, youtube, etc., being incredibly important and useful, I have to say, I think if you want to have the greatest impact you should focus on volunteer work with individual young people through a volunteer program. I have worked as a mentor in the past via a volunteer arts organization (my wife and I mentored 6 high school students for several months through a city arts grant), and we were really able to make a lasting impression (I believe).

Unfortunately, to me the problem with relying on mass media including the Web for this kind of life change is information overload. With the guidance changing radically from day to day in the mainstream (yesterday margarine was the savior, today it's the killer), there is nothing like having a person you know and respect who can answer specific questions, or provide tailored guidance, particularly in the mid to late teens. What is lost for most these days is personal contact; working individually with kids at that critical age where they are beginning to really make their own decisions can leave such a strong impression that they will be permanently changed in their perception.

That said, reaching a greater volume of people is certainly important - it's why I do it on Almost Fit. :)

[summergirl]

As someone who only recently sought out the help of a RD/certified Nutritionist, I found myself wondering after the first visit... "Why doesn't my health insurance plan (or ANY for that matter) offer REAL plan coverage for this... encouragement to go see and RD... and why isn't a RD someone that EVERYONE should go see as regularly as a family physician?" I have CIGNA and the way our co. plan works is that they consider one R.D. within a 50 mi radius as "in-network". The bulk of cost is mine to pay if I go to this person, as the plan will only cover 10% of costs... it just so happens that the sole authorized dietician's office location is 25 miles away (in Chapel Hill, NC) from where I live ...and she just so happens to charge 3x as much as the RD I see in my city-Raleigh, NC; there are MANY RD's available in this area... but my huge plan only gives the 10% break to one. Thus I go to my more local contact and pay right out of pocket ... a third of what i'd pay to the plan participant. I think there should be an RD in every University health office and a free initial visit given (required) to every college freshman. I also think you should have a huge ad-campaign on tv to let people know who you are and what you actually do. I think many are simply unaware that RD's exist until they are required to see one for a health condition. I became aware of my RD, because she gave a brief presentation at a running club that I was a member of a few yrs ago. She spoke for maybe 30 min's on good nutrition and then ... how her profession helps athletes as well as every day people. This would be great exposure for you if in private practice.

[Diana Young, RD, LD/N, CDE]

I definitely feel your pain.
Yesterday I received a message from the American Dietetic Association . . . Dietitians just won a huge victory with medicare. Medicare is now going to cover RDs . . . we will be getting more detail on this. But to me this means insurance companies will jump on the bandwagon as well and there will be more coverage. RDs are working hard to get on board with insurance companies and I think it will happen now that the bill has passed with medicare.
But a word of warning, Certified Nutritionists are not the same as Registered Dietitians, although some dietitians do call themselves nutritionists. So be careful with that. RDs are definitely the experts when it comes to nutrition. Btw, summergirl, we have RD email support here at Iowa Avenue for only $40/month. And from what I can tell its the most affordable available from an RD and we are certified diabetes educators as well. Let me know if you are interested and we can set you up.

[Diana Young, RD, LD/N, CDE]

And here is the email all dietitians received:
To ADA members:

I am sure you have heard by now that the Congress has voted to override the
President’s veto of the Medicare bill that contains language to expand Medical
Nutrition Therapy coverage. This wonderful news has been a long time coming, but
important things often take a long time. Changing Medicare coverage takes an
entire team of dedicated people, and a lot of people –- members and ADA’s
Headquarters Team alike –- worked very hard on this issue. Millions of Medicare
beneficiaries’ lives will be enriched as a result of this bill.

Still, while overriding the President’s veto is a major step forward in
expanding MNT coverage under Medicare, it is just that: one step forward. It
does not represent the end of this battle. The legislation that passed yesterday
establishes a process by which Medicare can review coverage of MNT and expand it
to certain areas that prevent the progression of a chronic condition.

The bill goes into effect in January 2009. ADA will be working between now and
then with Medicare to ensure that the coverage is maximized. In the next few
days, ADA will post more detailed information on the bill’s provisions. Visit:
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy.html

To everyone who played a part in getting the bill passed –- all those who have
attend the Public Policy Workshop since 2000, who sent letters and e-mails to
the Congress, who have served on the Legislative and Public Policy Committee,
ADAPAC and the ADA’s Board of Directors, my deep and sincere thanks.