Dietetics

Dietetics is the application of knowledge about nutrition to the feeding of individuals and groups, both in health and disease.

Broadly speaking, the aims of the dietician might be summarised as:

• the early detection and remedy of malnourished individuals
• advice to people in the subject of healthy eating, particularly where an individual is in a high risk group of disease from an unhealthy diet

To sum up the aims of a four year course with extensive postgraduate training in two aims like this is clearly a gross oversimplification, and much of the work of the dietician is in the skilled individual tailoring of advice for people with complex problems or strong reservations to change in their diet.

Our thanks must be extended to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the John Radcliffe Hospital for their generous help in compiling this section.