Welcome to the BDA web site

The BDA is the professional association for dietitians.

The Role of Dietitians and
How to Find One

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems at an individual and wider public health level. Uniquely, dietitians use the most up to date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be statutorily regulated, and governed by an ethical code, to ensure that they always work to the highest standard. Dietitians work in the NHS, private practice, industry, education, research, sport, media, public relations, publishing, NGOs and government. Their advice influences food and health policy across the spectrum from government, local communities and individuals.

The title dietitian can only be used by those appropriately trained professionals who have registered with the Health Professions Council and whose details are on the HPC web site.

Finding a Dietitian

Most people will be able to see a Registered Dietitian within the NHS after being referred by an NHS GP, doctor, health visitor or other medical staff. You can also self-refer. Consultations with dietitians within the NHS are free.

Alternatively if you wish to see a Registered Dietitian who practises privately, you can search on-line for a dietitian near you at Dietitians Unlimited, which is run by the BDA's Freelance Dietitian Group.

Change4Life campaign

We’ve signed up: have you?

Read more about the Change 4 Life initiative, and the range of BDA resources that can help if you are taking part in the campaign.

Pills for Pregnancy: Dietitians support supplementary measures to tell mums-to-be about folic acid pills

Dietitians are warning that women in the UK continue to risk Neural Tube Defect (NTD) affected pregnancies because they are not aware of Department of Health advice given 16 years ago, that recommended women who intend to become pregnant should take folic acid supplements from preconception.
 
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BDA /DOM UK statement on Over The Counter Alli

The Dietitians in Obesity Management (DOM UK) specialist group of the British Dietetic Association believes that people using Alli, the new non-prescription weight loss aid, need comprehensive support to change their eating habits. This is to ensure they follow a healthy calorie-controlled, low fat eating plan to effectively and safely promote weight loss and to avoid any side effects of Alli.
                                
Dietitians recognise that obesity is the greatest public health problem of the 21st century. Around two-thirds of adults in the UK are now overweight and 1 in 4 is obese. People need appropriate support and treatment for this complex condition. Read more... 

BAPEN
Nutritional Screening Week Survey

The BDA specialist group PENG is one of the 5 founder members that make up The British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN).

Over the last two years The BDA has worked closely with BAPEN on the annual Nutritional Screening Week Survey (NSW). The survey was coordinated by BAPEN, and involved collaboration from the BDA and the RCN. There were several reasons why the survey was needed not least to inform the Department of Health and other government departments, other organisations and the media of the current magnitude of the problem of malnutrition on admission to hospital and care homes.

The next survey will be undertaken in January 2010 to cover the winter season and BDA members will be alerted to it over the next few months. Read the BAPEN press release, full NSW 08 report, and the report ‘Screening for Malnutrition in Sheltered Housing’.

New breastfeeding BDA fact sheet

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) has launched a new free fact sheet on diet and breastfeeding in time to support National Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2009, helping mothers with an at-a-glance, reliable reference to support their decision to breastfeed.
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Low fat dieters feel like outcasts among friends

Low fat dieters feel pressured to break their regimes in order not to appear rude, impolite or ungrateful when with friends or at social gatherings, according to a new study. Read more...

Dietitians’ top tips to help keep flu at bay

Good nutrition is always important, but when a new health risk appears we often ask ourselves ‘what can I eat to help keep me healthy?’  The answer, according to the BDA is not new but worth reminding everyone of! 
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Dietitians reveal secret weapons to tackle depression

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions suffered by millions of people in the UK and Europe.

Dietitians have been examining ways to change what people eat to help to improve symptoms. The British Dietetic Association (BDA) has now revealed some of the key dietary components thought to manage mild to moderate depression.

Read the Diet and Depression press release and the new Diet and Depression fact sheet.

Dietitians slam ‘detox’ as nonsense

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) says that the idea of ‘detox’ is a load of nonsense. Read more...