Career in Nutrition Dietics

Ever increasing demand for Nutritionists and Dietitians

A nutritionist is a person who advises on matters of food and nutrition impacts on health. Different professional terms are used in different countries, employment settings and contexts - some examples include: nutrition scientist, public health nutritionist, dietitian-nutritionist, clinical nutritionist, and sports nutritionist. Some use the terms "dietitian" and "nutritionist" as basically interchangeable.

Nutrition examines the association between diet and health. Diet plays a vital role in the health and well being of human body. A good quality and balanced diet is vital for good health. Improper eating habits and lack of nutrition causes many diseases. Many of these diseases can be prevented with better nutrition and diet. Nutrition and Dietetics is the field related to this aspect of health.

Dietetics is the science of managing food and nutrition for better health. Dietitians are professionals who focus in this field. Dietitians are trained to provide secure and evidence-based dietary advice.

Employment Facts - Dietitians and Nutritionists:

Dietitians and nutritionists held about 1,50,000 jobs in 2011. More than half of all Dietitians and nutritionists worked in hospitals, nursing homes, and physician's offices and clinics.

The need for Dietitians and nutritionists is increasing every day with sedentary lifestyles, high consumption of fast food and other food related health disorders at an all-time high. Whether in schools, hospitals or communities, Dietitians and nutritionists are sought after allied medical health professionals because of their understanding of healthy eating and nutrition.

If you are interested in working with food and nutrition you may want to consider a career as a dietician or nutritionist. The first step to a career as a dietician or nutritionist is to pursue a proper bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics.

Several collages/universities/institutes in India offer Bachelors Program in Nutrition & Dietetics. Manav Rachna International University provides Bachelor and Master of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics. The university also provides Ph.D. in Nutrition and Dietetics.

The programme at Manav Rachna provides a greater understanding of the scientific basis of nutrition and the influence of good nutrition on health. This course has a multidisciplinary emphasis providing a broad base of knowledge and skills. The characteristic feature that sets this course apart from various other courses is the provision of internship/ field placement for two months in the final year. This provides the student with an opportunity to interact with the community and participate in the development process. The student who leaves the portal of the institution would be an independent and confident person who has acquired knowledge of self, professional and communication skills.

Some of the highlights of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Manav Rachna International University:

·         The 1^st ever 14^th Commonwealth International Sports Science Congress was held at Manav Rachna International University

·         104 Physiotherapy and Nutrition students of MRIU were selected to work as Dope Control Officers at the Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi

·         Placement opportunities with renowned groups and hospitals

·         Strategic tie up with Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, England and Lahiti University of Applied Sciences, Lahiti, Finland, International Institute of Health Promotion (IIHP) USA and Australian Institute of Sports.

Through the campus recruitment drive in Manav Rachna students have been placed in VLCC, Renova Health Care, Herbal Life International, British Biological etc. Apart from in campus recruitment drive students of Manav Rachna are also working as Dietitians/ Nutritionist/ consultants with various hospitals/health care centers/organizations like Asian Hospital, Faridabad, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad,  Diabetic Clinic, Rohini, IBM Gurgoan. Internationally, students have worked during CWG 2010 as medical officer. 

Rewarding Career Options in Physiotherapy

Physical therapy (or physiotherapy), often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession primarily concerned with the remediation of impairments and disabilities and the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement potential through examination, evaluation, diagnosis and physical intervention carried out by licensed Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants. In addition to clinical practice, other activities encompassed in the physical therapy profession include research, education, consultation and administration. Normally, patients with problems are referred by medical practitioners to physiotherapists who then take on the responsibility of the patient and get them back to shape. Physiotherapy is a branch of healthcare and very rewarding profession. Physiotherapists recognize and maximize movement potential through health promotion, preventive healthcare, treatment and rehabilitation. Physiotherapists use various skills to treat patients such as manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and the application of electro-physical modalities. The following are just a few of the areas physiotherapists work:

·         Outpatients

·         Intensive Care

·         Womens Health

·         Care of the elderly

·         Stroke patients

·         Orthopaedics

·         Mental illness

·         Learning difficulties

·         Occupational health

·         Terminally ill

·         Pediatrics

The occupation of a physiotherapist, which is preventive, healing and rehabilitative, is challenging but profitable. In medical courses, they have been given training to perform a history and physical examination, conduct assessments to establish a diagnosis process, select appropriate physical therapy interventions to treat the dysfunction, and monitor the effectiveness of treatment. To treat patient, physiotherapists use a variety of therapeutic intervention techniques. These are Manual Therapy, TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve stimulation used to control pain), Ultrasound Technique, Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Manipulation, Acupuncture etc. The job of a physiotherapist is physically very strenuous as it involves physically lifting and supporting patients.

Several colleges/universities/institutes in India offer BPT/MPT course. Manav Rachna International University provides Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Master of Physiotherapy courses. The Department is recognized by Indian Association of Physiotherapists and the Delhi Council for Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy. The Bachelor course is 4 1/2 years full-time (Regular course included in eight semesters with six months internship). The Master of Physiotherapy program at MRIU offers specialization Musculoskeletal, Sports, Neurology and Cardiopulmonary.

Some of the highlights of the Department of Physiotheraphy at Manav Rachna International University:

·         The 1^st ever 14^th Commonwealth International Sports Science Congress was held at Manav Rachna International University

·         104 Physiotherapy and Nutrition students of MRIU were selected to work as Dope Control Officers at the Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi

·         Placement opportunities with renowned groups and hospitals

·         Strategic tie up with Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, England and Lahiti University of Applied Sciences, Lahiti, Finland, International Institute of Health Promotion (IIHP) USA and Australian Institute of Sports.

The department of Physiotherapy at Manav Rachna International University has nurtured active tie-ups with renowned hospitals like VIMHANS Hospital, Batra Hospital & Medical Research Center, Fortis Escorts Hospital, National Stadium, Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, major sports training camps, National Games, Haryana State Level Games, Sarvodaya Hospital, ESI Hospital, Helpage India, ERC School for Special Children, several Old Age Homes, Handicapped Schools, Metro Heart Institute and many more.

Besides this, the students and faculty of FAS has extensively given Physiotherapy support in various Industrial Health Camps at NCR, Community Health Camps at various Resident Welfare Associations, Handicapped Children Rehabilitation support, Geriatric Rehabilitation camps.

The out patient department of Physiotherapy is very well equipped with sophisticated instruments like KINCOM ISOKINETIC DYNAMOMETER, EMG Biofeedback, MWD, SWD, US Therapy and many more to render customized physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation for physical ailments like arthritis, spondylitis, back ache, shoulder injuries, sports injuries and many more physical treatable medical conditions in the Neurological and Cardio-respiratory medical conditions. The department conducts variety of patient rehabilitation oriented sessions like arthritis rehabilitation program, back ache care program, shoulder rehabilitation program, stroke rehabilitation program, cerebral palsy treatment program, parkinson’s rehabilitation program, exercise programs, aerobics, core strengthening program , ante-natal and post-natal pregnancy exercises program, sports training program, and nutritional counseling for all age groups.