PT's Giving Diet Plans/Advice....Legal issues?

[Intrawebs]

I've read that if you are a PT, certified or not and if you are giving out dietary advice and plans then you also need to be a registered dietitian. Is this correct? To be a registered dietitian in WA state anyway you need at a minimum a 4 year degree.

Are any of you PT's giving your clients diet plans/advice (I assume thats a logical step 1 anyway)? Is there some line that exist in the context of giving dietary advice to a client that if crossed would require you to be a registered dietitian?

[bigdaddy425]

Well I know in Maine you can be certified in sports nutrition... This way you can "advise" clients about proper ways to eat for their fitness goals... After all weight training is a sport right?

[kserajuddin]

This is a good thread -

There's another thread from a couple of days ago that basically turned into this same discussion -

Let me cut and paste my comment:

I've been looking to get a nutritional qualification to 1. cover my ass 2. make me more marketable (ie I can charge more) - this issue got brought up a couple of weeks ago on the forum and Clay Hyte (sp), I guy I respect, recommended ISSN - here's some of the info from their site:

_____________________________________________

Are there any state-by-state regulations regarding Sports Nutrition?

There are no state-by-state regulations for becoming a Certified Sports Nutritionist. The purpose of the CISSN is to demonstrate a threshold level of knowledge in the field of sports nutrition. There are currently individuals with the CISSN throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. Legally, personal trainers can and do provide sports nutrition information or education to clients for the purpose of enhancing physical performance as well as body composition. However, only dietitians are legally allowed to provide MNT or medical nutrition therapy. CISSN holders are not allowed nor are they trained in providing MNT.

How is the CISSN different from a Registered Dietitian or Licensed Nutritionist?

After taking this certification you will not become a Registered Dietitian or a Licensed Nutritionist. Those require a 4-year college degree, the completion of an internship, and a registration exam. However, the RD or LD moniker does not adequately prepare an individual to work in the area of sports nutrition. In fact, the traditional training of a dietitian is often at odds with the research in the field of sports nutrition. We highly recommend that those with the RD or LD title take the CISSN to broaden their knowledge base. Furthermore, getting the CISSN does not allow you to provide education or coaching in the area of medical nutrition.
___________________________________________

From what I understand, you'll have the credential of Certified Sports NUTRITIONIST -

Doe this sound right? How do you guys feel about that?


That's what I posted in that other thread -
This is one of the most important issues we're facing, so I'd appreciate links to other sources or evidence to look at -

[Intrawebs]

Originally Posted by kserajuddin

However, only dietitians are legally allowed to provide MNT or medical nutrition therapy. CISSN holders are not allowed nor are they trained in providing MNT.

Doe this sound right? How do you guys feel about that?

This makes sense, obviously if a PT is expecting their client to do well the client cant be eating twinkies and cup cakes all day long, so we have to advise them on healthy eating. But if that person has a medical condition we cant legally advise them what to eat in the context of helping them with their condition.

[LL SquatButt J]

RD's aren't the only one's who can provide MNT...i believe DTR's can (Dietic technitians, registered). U can become a DTR through the community college level (1.5-2 years), though not too many community colleges provide this option. Luckily there is one around my area that does

[PlayerSupreme]

Sticky area. I refer my clients to weight watchers and let them do all the work of managing that part of it. I stick to my own specialty. Also it is good for getting referral business.

I am also a public speaker and I will not hesitate to talk on things like :

30 days to a flatter stomach and firmer buns to anyone who will listen.

[Intrawebs]

Anyone else want to chime in?

[trnhrd]

I was taught that as a PT we are not to give supplements or diet plans. I am allowed to provide nutritional guidance. The difference being, "this is a vegetable...." It is good for you because... Instead of telling the person "you must eat 3 cups of this and two of this and have only so many calories." It is the position of educator. There are various topics that I do cover, like ways to make foods more healthy and the benefits that each nutrient plays with your body.

I also work for a supplement store so I willingly provide information about supplements, but I stay within the DSHEA guidelines and I never tell them to take the supplements. There is a duality that occurs since the supplement aspect segways into the sport side (eg. protein supplementation)

[nickmanzoni]

I just have a piece of paper from a certifing body that says I'm a "sports nutrition consultant"... it couldn't be less of a big deal.


Basically, I took a test off of what the RDA's of vitamins,minerals, fats,carbs,protein were. Needed to know cholesterol levels that were normal, and above and below normal. Also needed to know about blood sugar.


All of these things I've learned through nursing school. Needless to say I passed with a 99% with no real prior studying....


Why did I tell you this story? I'm going to share my opinion with what I feel on the subject.



People are sue crazy. I tell them that you can go get your estimated calorie demands, diet tips, protein needs off a website with marginal error, pay a guy to tell you in person who might still get it wrong, or save time and money and let me ESTIMATE FOR THEM. and I can't stress that I let them know in writing that this is an estimate, to NOT be followed with my consent. If they decided "hey this looks reasonable and I want to try it" and they do, and they lose weight, great! But all I did was estimate for them and they took that ball and ran with it.

[nickmanzoni]

And I absolutely will not recommend any supplement brands for them to take, NOT EVEN PROTEIN POWDER!

For example I tell them protein shakes are a tool for you to get extra protein. If you have allergies, be mindful of them while you look at your product.

[Intrawebs]

Originally Posted by nickmanzoni

I just have a piece of paper from a certifing body that says I'm a "sports nutrition consultant"... it couldn't be less of a big deal.


Basically, I took a test off of what the RDA's of vitamins,minerals, fats,carbs,protein were. Needed to know cholesterol levels that were normal, and above and below normal. Also needed to know about blood sugar.


All of these things I've learned through nursing school. Needless to say I passed with a 99% with no real prior studying....


Why did I tell you this story? I'm going to share my opinion with what I feel on the subject.



People are sue crazy. I tell them that you can go get your estimated calorie demands, diet tips, protein needs off a website with marginal error, pay a guy to tell you in person who might still get it wrong, or save time and money and let me ESTIMATE FOR THEM. and I can't stress that I let them know in writing that this is an estimate, to NOT be followed with my consent. If they decided "hey this looks reasonable and I want to try it" and they do, and they lose weight, great! But all I did was estimate for them and they took that ball and ran with it.

EXCELLENT response, thank you!

[carl.c]

Nick; do you advice them if their supps a junk, i have found that many of the name brands are way over priced and many of the amino products are just a couple of grams of whey?
I admit to having trouble with nutrition advice out here in Ca, its a little vague. When giving advice on nutrition i try to stay with in the guide lines of my certs.

[nickmanzoni]

Originally Posted by carl.c

Nick; do you advice them if their supps a junk, i have found that many of the name brands are way over priced and many of the amino products are just a couple of grams of whey?
I admit to having trouble with nutrition advice out here in Ca, its a little vague. When giving advice on nutrition i try to stay with in the guide lines of my certs.

To be quite honest, I say all sups are crap. Everything can be done without supplementation. I would honestly wish I could eat a steak with some brown rice after EVERY workout, but I cannot afford that lifestyle. I opt for a 3 dollar can of whey protein because it's quick and cheap.

So to answer your question I tell them basically to focus more on DOING what needs to be done instead of "popping" what needs to be done.

[LL SquatButt J]

from eatright.org questions/answers section:


Would licensure prohibit anyone except dietitians from giving nutritional advice?
No. Licensure would not affect anyone that simply describes the nutritional value of products nor would it affect other healthcare professionals. It would, however, provide recourse for victims of unqualified and unscrupulous individuals dispensing improper advice.


If unqualified individuals disseminate harmful nutrition information, licensure allows the state to take action on behalf of the public against those unqualified individuals.


and....


http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/ST...Y_7_07_PDF.pdf

[carl.c]

I wouldn't say all but most are. The only sups I take are protien powder because its quick and I can make it anywhere. Fish oil for health, multi vitamin because it a cover all and cheap.
I do enjoy playing around with other supps just out of an curiouse nature.
I'am always amazed at how many people in this industry forget that whole food is the best way to go.
the only exception to this rule is the athlete, if you are going to compete then you must and will take supplements for performance.