BDA Press Centre
15 September 2009
Dietitians Warn of the Dangers of Crash Diets
Dietitians converging on Manchester today for their 74th Annual Conference are warning the public of the danger of crash diets - just days after news of the death of a woman on a 500 calorie-a-day programme came to light.
The British Dietetic Association is urging people to seek medical advice before starting such programmes, so the slimming plan can be appropriately followed and monitored to pick up problems or abuse of the plan.
They also warn that the success of crash diets is short-lived: especially as they cannot provide all the nutrients found in a healthy balanced diet and do not re-educate your eating habits to long-term healthy eating.
Outgoing Honorary Chairman of the British Dietetic Association, Pauline Douglas said: “It is terribly unfortunate when you hear of people dying as a result of undertaking extreme diets but we are seeing more and more of these incidents. Increasingly, as people look for quick fix solutions, some enthusiastic amateurs with little or no nutrition qualifications or training and some commercial operators may look to take advantage - so people must seek the right support.
"Long term weight loss is best achieved by reducing the amount of energy (calories) you take in to an appropriate and safe amount (no less than 1300kcal/day) and increasing the amount of energy (calories) your body uses up by increased physical activity. It is important to learn how to manage food and drink intake and to re-educate yourself on healthy eating rather than relying on short-term fixes and substitutes."
At the three-day Conference, dietetic experts working in industry, academia and the NHS will gather to debate the latest issues affecting food and nutrition, including:
- A presentation by Ben Jupp, Director of Public Services Strategy and Innovation in the Cabinet Office on Dietitians in the 21st Century
- Managing the dietary needs of children with HIV infection
- Nutrition in chronic kidney disease
- Managing the nutrition needs of returning military personal and trauma patients
Parallel Sessions from BDA specialist groups will also:
- Guidelines for dietitians working in gastroenterology
- Eliminating the confusion over lactose and dairy intolerance
- Nutrition and patient safety
Pauline added: “With diet and nutrition continuing to be high on the public’s agenda, dietitians play an increasingly crucial role in improving the nation’s health and quality of life. At our conference we will identify ways to ensure the BDA is even more of a key contributor in the development, commissioning and implementation of health strategy. Also we will explore how dietitians work in greater partnership with doctors, nurses and other health care providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for patient care.”
Media enquiries to The British Dietetic Association should be directed to our media hotline on 0870 850 2517 or pr@bda.uk.com.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The British Dietetic Association, founded in 1936, is the professional association for registered dietitians in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is the nation’s largest organisation of food and nutrition professionals with nearly 6,000 members. About two-thirds of members are employed in the National Health Service. The remaining members work in education, industry, research, sport settings or freelance.
- Registered dietitians hold the only legally-recognisable graduate qualification in nutrition and dietetics. They are experts in interpreting and translating the science of nutrition into practical ways of promoting nutritional well-being, disease treatment and the prevention of nutrition-related problems. Their advice is sound and based on current scientific evidence. Registration, awarded by the Health Professionals Council, is an indication that a dietitian is fit to practise and is working within an agreed statement of conduct. For further details about the British Dietetic Association, please visit our website: www.bda.uk.com.