State House of Representative Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Testimony
Witness information: Patricia J Becker MS RDN / LD CSP CNSC. Registered dietitian / nutrition – licensed
by the state of Ohio Board of Dietetics. Board certified specialist in pediatric nutrition (CSP) Board
certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC)
Presenting on behalf of the Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Place of employment: Cincinnati
Children’s Hospital / position as nutrition therapy department float.
Thank you for the opportunity to present information on the nutrition health of the children in Ohio. As
a pediatric dietitian I take care of children from birth to adult hood. Pediatric Registered dietitians
provide nutrition care for preterm infants, children undergoing cancer treatment and bone marrow
transplant, children with cystic fibrosis, heart defects, severe food allergies, seizures, recovery from
trauma, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and many other conditions. The children who come to CCHMC
and other children’s hospitals in Ohio benefit from the expert medical nutrition therapy provided by
these skilled Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists.
Registered dietitians have the training and education in human nutrition that makes them experts in
providing the best nutrition care and producing the best outcomes for children from before birth to
adulthood.
The registered-licensed dietitian / nutritionist has the educational background and training in nutrition
beyond what many other health care providers receive. Individuals with the RDN credential have
fulfilled established minimum standards / criteria including a Bachelor’s Degree in food and nutrition,
completion of supervised practice program, successful passing of the dietitian registration examination
and maintenance of continuing education requirements for both registration and licensure. Many, such
as myself have advanced degrees and specialty certifications.
Many of the health issues that occur in adult hood have their beginnings in childhood. Preventing poor
health outcomes related to nutrition in children can improve health as children grow into adulthood.
Many of the ramifications of illness in adults are because we did not address issues in childhood …
obesity; type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and high blood pressure to name a few.
Here is a list of a few of the things an RDN can do for children:
Before Birth:
1. Help mothers learn how to control blood sugars in gestational diabetes to prevent birth defects and
premature birth
2. Help mothers learn how to reduce the risks of obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy to
reduce the risk of premature birth, large for gestational age babies, birth trauma and risk of C-section
delivery.
As babies:
1. Counsel mothers on how to continue successful breast feeding for the first 12 months of life, and to
assist with making sure babies get all the nutrients they need to grow and develop.
2. Help babies with special needs grow and develop to the best possible level by providing feeding plans,
special formulas and recipes to ensure increased nutrient needs are met.
As young children:
1. Assist with menu planning for day care and schools to ensure regulations and nutrient needs are met.
2. Help families, pediatricians, and other healthcare providers provide nutrition care / nutrition therapy
for children with poor growth, special nutrition needs to treat diseases such as type 1 diabetes, seizures,
and pediatric malnutrition / failure to thrive.
As school age children:
1. Help parents and others prevent and treat overweight and obesity
2. Proved School menu planning to ensure government regulation and nutrient needs of children are
met
3. Provide Nutrition care for children with special nutrition needs such as childhood cancers, cystic
fibrosis, autism and poor growth.
As teenagers:
1. Help teens and families prevent and treat overweight and obesity
2. Help teens, families and other healthcare providers prevent and treat Type 2 diabetes
3. Provide Sports nutrition counseling, meal planning, training diets and more
4. Help teens, families and other health care provides treat and prevent Eating disorders such as
anorexia nervosa or bulimia
Unfortunately access to dietitians for children in the community is significantly less than the need.
Children and their parents have access to physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapist and
many other health care providers in the community. The support for families to receive care from
Licensed / Registered Dietitians /Nutritionists currently is not generally available. ALL programs that
address health care for children NEED to include dietitian services.
Increased knowledge of the nutrition care needs of children and the value of the RDN (Registered
Dietitian /Nutritionist) to provide for and meet those needs is the first step to ensuring the best possible
health outcomes for Ohio children and their families. On behalf of the Ohio Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics I want to Thank you so much for allowing me to present this information to you today.
I am happy to answer any questions you might have or feel free to contact me should you have
questions or require additional information.
Patricia J Becker RDN. patriciajbacker@me.com / patricia.becker@CCHMC.org.