Demand for Nutritionists, Dietitians to Grow Faster Than All Other Jobs

All college students love food, but undecided college majors may want to try loving it a bit more—especially if it leads to a job.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of dietitians and nutritionists is expected to grow 20% faster than the average for all other occupations within the next eight years.

Consumers are becoming more attuned to not only proven means of healthy nutrition and fervently seeking out innovative methods and products to meet their needs, but also are more critical and willing to abandon a product or service they perceive violates healthy practices.

The public relies on professionals like food inspectors, nutritionists and agricultural scientists to say what is safe to consume and what the public should limit or avoid, which is essential for food and beverages and even more important for products like dietary supplements that are used by 69% of US adults, according to a survey by the Council for Responsible Nutrition. This obsession by consumers is helping drive the demand for more nutrition professionals.

Nutritionists and dietitians are in demand as health care and public officials implement programs like First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign to combat childhood obesity. Nutritionists help shape and educate consumers on the government recommended dietary guidelines for healthy living.

Source: Benedictine University