B Sc Dietetics
What is Dietetics?
 A key factor to modern medicine
 One of world’s fastest-growing
professions.
 A career that can make a
difference – provide knowledge
and advice
 Profession that assists the
public to understand the real
facts and prevent misinformation
What can one do with Dietetics?
NMMU trains competent, ethical dietetics
professionals in:
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Clinical/ therapeutic dietetics
Community dietetics
Consultants (private practitioners)
Dietitians managing food services
Research and application - preventive and
curative medicine.
Importance of Dietetics
South Africans have
 Growing health problems
 Sedentary, stressful lifestyles
 Unhealthy food choices
Dietitians strive towards eliminating
diseases caused by unhealthy lifestyles.
Results of the efforts of dietitians cannot always be
seen immediately, in the long run it saves lives and
can increase an individual’s life span.
Statistics
 Ageing population,
25.5% > 60 years.
 Special nutritional care.
 Mortality rate of < 5 years - 10%.
 Good nutritional support and
knowledge.
 Cardiovascular disease & diabetes
cause 7% of deaths.
Statistics: in 2010
 Only 763 dietitians employed in
public sectors, not even one for
each hospital.
 Only 0.16 dietitians for every 10 000
people.
 26.3% of registered dietitians
working abroad, as South African
dietitians are sought after.
Therefore many job opportunities available
B Sc Dietetics programme at NMMU
 Dietitians work with people, more
emphasis on Psychology.
 Dietetics part of Human
Movement Science, sport
nutrition an important focus point.
 Programme offers good foundation
for research.
 Small classes, individual attention.
 Port Elizabeth has an excellent clinical dietetic
structure - practical, hands-on experience while
still studying.
Professional Registration
 HPCSA: Dietitians, register with the Health Professions
Council of South Africa.
 ADSA: Association for Dietetics in South Africa. ADSA
represents and develops the dietetic profession
 NSSA: Nutrition Society of South Africa. NSSA strives to
advance scientific study of nutrition
Curriculum
Year 1 Chemistry
Physics
Nutrition
Psychology Computer
Food Science
Skills
Food Service
Year 2 Biochemistry Nutrition
Physiology
Microbiology Food Service
Year 3 Pharma=
cology
Nutrition
(Therapy)
Nutrition
(Community)
Research
Methodo=
logy
Statistics
Entrepre=
neurship
Food Service
Year 4 Work Integrated Learning:
Ethics and
Treatise
Nutrition and Food Service (Research) Law