Dietetic Majors and Eating Disorders

College offers a unique time for students to explore and find their niche and areas of passion.  From art to science to business and philosophy and everything in between, there are countless academic areas that can be pursued and studied in the college realm.  One such degree that is gaining popularity is a Dietetic Major under the umbrella of Family and Consumer Science and in the field of Dietetics.

Becoming a Dietetic Major

Students who pursue a dietetic major typically do so with the goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian.  Dietetics is the study of human nutrition along other science courses, which prepares students for the career of a dietitian.  Dietitians are health care workers who help others establish a healthy diet, provide dietary education, and improve or eliminate health issues that may correspond with poor eating habits.  Dietitians can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, colleges/universities, on sports teams and more.

The process of becoming a dietitian is one that involves both undergraduate coursework and the successful completion of an internship.  One a student has completed their degree and coursework in dietetics, they will then become eligible for fieldwork in an internship, which is the last step that is needed for eligibility to take the board exam for registered dietitians.

Undergraduate coursework and fieldwork in dietetics may involve learning how to create meal plans, kitchen lab work, culinary arts, food service management, and food and nutrition sciences.  Students in the dietetics field learn a variety of aspects within the study of food and nutrition.  

Dietetics and Food Habits

Because dietetics is a field that focuses on food and nutrition, there has been question about the impact on students who may be predisposed to developing an eating disorder.  Research that has investigated this has shown that college students majoring in dietetics have more problematic associations with food that do students majoring in other disciplines ^[1].  Other anecdotal evidence has suggested that dietetic majors have a substantially higher incidence of both eating disorders and disordered eating ^[2].  There have also been findings that have a preexisting relationship with food that was abnormal may drive individuals to a career choice in the field of dietetics ^[2].

While eating disorders develop as the result of many complex factors, there are many hypotheses as to why eating disorders among dietetic students may be more prevalent.  For one, students who may already be hyper focused on food and nutrition may gravitate towards majoring in a discipline that revolves around this very thing.  Some students with existing eating disorders or abnormally obsessive relationships around food may chose to major in an area that allows the study and focus of these subjects.   On the other side of things, students who are continually submersed in an area of study of nutrition and food may become more inclinced to obsess about things of this nature.  For a student who is predisposed to having an eating disorder, being within a major that is continually focusing on eating and food may contribute as an environmental trigger.

Colleges and universities have taken steps to address eating disorders among students by offering access to mental health professionals, specialized treatment programs, educational programs, and peer support groups.

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Awareness is Key

Awareness of the susceptibility that dietetic students may face in this particular area is important for promoting a greater understanding.  Directors and professors in dietetic programs may consider the implication of these findings and encourage ways to educate students, perhaps by offering a special course or workshop on eating disorders.   Helping students understand the difference between balance and abnormal behaviors with food may be helpful too, with emphasis on eating disorder awareness.

The field of dietetics is certainly a rewarding discipline of study that leads to a fulfilling career.  For students who are majoring in dietetics, having an understanding about the potential increased risk for developing an eating disorder is helpful for awareness and treatment methods.

References:

1. Reinstein N., et al.  Prevalence of eating disorders among dietetics students: does nutrition education make a difference?  J Am Diet Assoc.  1992 Aug; 92(8): 949-53.
2. W.V. Strauss, et al.   A Comparison of Dietetics Career Choice Motivators and Prevalence of Eating Disorders in a College Female Population. Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetis. September 1999.

Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC

Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing,

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her nutrition private practice.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Reviewed And Updated By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on June 18, 2019.
Published August 28, 2015, on EatingDisorderHope.com