VA Nutrition Resources | |
Become a Nutritionist or Dietitian in Virginia
Virginia Nutritionist & Dietitian Employment Outlook
Virginia has traditionally performed better than average when it comes to the health of its residents. The 20th lowest obesity rate in 2008 according to the state Department of Health, Virginia is among the leaders in the US for weight loss acknowledgement and improvement, with an obesity rate of 25.7 percent at the beginning of 2009. Just below the national average of 26.6 percent, Virginia out performed all its neighbors, especially those to the south including North Carolina and Tennessee at 30 percent and 31 percent respectively.
The news is not all good, however. In a 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, it was found that 31 percent of Virginia's children aged 10 to 17 were overweight or obese. Moreover, according to the Research Triangle Institute International (RTI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this problem costs Virginia’s health care system an estimated $1.6 billion per year, roughly 5.7 percent of the state’s medical expenditures.
In response to this growing epidemic, the Virginia Department of Health has launched a number of initiatives to fight the current trends. State health officials are working with nutrition professionals and dietitians to develop a coordinated plan to address the problems. Further initiatives will ensure that Nutrition professionals will be in high demand throughout the state. Additionally, health care reforms and greater attention to prevention of disease and health problems in the federal and state governments will bring about a greater demand for those in the nutrition fields. More than ever, now is the time to get involved in a career in nutrition, to be the answer for tomorrows greatest health challenges.
Virginia Nutritionist Wages & Working Conditions
As of 2009, many of Virginia’s Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists find themselves practicing primarily in the following areas:
- Hospitals and Health Clinics
- Health clubs, Resorts and Spas
- Home health agencies
- Nursing and Long Term Care Facilities
- Private Practice, Physicians Offices and Clinics
- Public health Agencies
- Research Institutions
- Educational Facilities
A list of average starting salaries for Virginia State RD’s and DTR’s are available below:
| Position | Monthly | Annualy |
| 10th Percentile | $3,679 | $44,150 |
| 25th Percentile | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $4,771 | $57,250 |
| 90th Percentile | $5,146 | $61,750 |
Find degree programs, schools and jobs in major cities in Virginia: Alexandria, Arlington, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Roanoke, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Washington DC.
Virginia State Registered Dietitian and Dietetic Technician Requirements
*Do not assume that any schools and programs listed on this site are a path to obtaining the RD credential. For credential information on actual schools that offer programs to the RD credential, view the ADA's official website at www.eatright.org.
VDA certified practitioners include Registered Dietitians (RD), Dietetic Technicians (DTR) and a wide variety of Nutritionist professionals, managers and administrators.
The state of Virginia is one of 28 states that does not require a specific license to become a Registered Dietitian, DTR or Licensed nutritionist in the state. According to the Virginia Dietetic Association and the ADA, those who satisfy the requirements of the ADA and its Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR), as well as the Virginia State Licensing Board are eligible for membership in the state of Virginia.
Current 2009 ADA and VDA membership criteria is as follows:
• A bachelors or Master's or Doctorate degree from an accredited program in one of the following areas or closely related field:
- Human nutrition,
- Nutrition education,
- Foods and nutrition
- Public health nutrition
• Successful completion of a supervised professional internship program of at least 900 hours, approved by the American Dietetic Association.
• Successful passage of the ADA examination approved by the Commission of Dietetic Registration and the Virginia Dietetic Association.
• Successful completion of Continuing Education (CE) credits as required by the ADA.
Virginia State Dietetic Programs
The following programs listed here have been created by residents of the State of Virginia to promote Nutrition and the benefits of Nutrition science to the people within the state.
Each of these agencies can be contacted specifically for more information.
Virginia Dietetic Association
The VDA, a direct affiliate of the American Dietetic Association, is comprised of Virginia resident Dietitians and Nutrition professionals. Virginia’s food and nutrition leaders, these individuals work together to improve the livelihood of the residents throughout the state.
P.O. Box 439
Centreville, Virginia 20122
(703) 815-8293
www.eatright-va.org
Virginia Department of Health
109 Governor Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 864-7064
www.vdh.state.va.us
Buy Local Virginia
Buy Fresh Buy Local assists Virginia’s consumers in finding local food and produce while assisting state farmers, farmers’ markets, restaurants, and food industries.
45 Horner Street
Warrenton, VA 20186
www.buylocalvirginia.org
LiveItHealthy4Life.com Medical Nutrition Therapies Group & Associates
156 Newtown Road Suite A2
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 499-2018
www.liveithealthy4life.com
Nutritionist Programs:
Kaplan University
Online
Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.
Programs offered:
Ashworth College
Online
Get the hands-on training and skills it takes to succeed with Ashworth College, a respected, worldwide leader in distance education. Study at the times and places most convenient for you.
Programs offered:
Stratford Career Institute
Online
Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods.
Programs offered:
Walden University
Online
Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.
The University of Liverpool
Online
Advance your career and increase your earning potential with a masters or a doctoral degree from the University of Liverpool. Study online in small groups of business professionals.
