Experts state that increasing obesity and chronic diseases are directing individuals to seek professional nutritional support, and the increased visibility of nutrition topics on social media is also boosting awareness of the dietetics profession.
Nutritionist Lecturer Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu also noted that dietitians play an important role in enabling individuals to adopt healthy eating habits through information and awareness, adding, “Information pollution can occur due to misinformation shared by non-experts on social media.”
Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Lecturer Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu evaluated the increasing interest in the dietetics profession in recent years, its broad role in the health sector, and commonly held misconceptions about nutrition in society.
Awareness of Healthy Living Has Increased
Hatunoğlu noted that with the rise in healthy living awareness in recent years, interest in the dietetics profession has also rapidly increased, stating, “While increasing obesity and chronic diseases are guiding individuals to seek professional nutritional support, the greater visibility of nutrition topics on social media has also boosted awareness of the profession.”
Does Everyone Have a Dietitian?
Lecturer Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu stated that while the perception of 'almost everyone has a dietitian' may not fully reflect reality, it is positive in showing the increased interest in dietitians within society. She warned, “However, this situation can also pave the way for some individuals to provide nutritional counseling without the title of dietitian. This can create risks for the profession's reputation and public health.”
Not Just Weight Loss or Gain
Hatunoğlu pointed out that dietetics is not limited to just weight loss or gain, saying, “Dietitians play a role in protecting and improving individuals' health, preventing and treating diseases by ensuring adequate and balanced nutrition. They are involved in many areas such as applying nutritional therapy for diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, kidney diseases, cancer; sports nutrition, child and adolescent nutrition, nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, and healthy nutrition in old age. Additionally, they have duties such as menu planning and institutional nutrition management in mass feeding systems.”
‘Miracle diets’ do not provide permanent weight loss in a short time
Hatunoğlu explained that many misconceptions about nutrition are widely accepted in society, which can negatively affect health, and continued:
“For example, information such as losing weight by eating only one type of food, skipping meals aiding weight loss, or detox drinks cleansing the body is far from scientific basis. Completely cutting out bread or carbohydrates, the idea that fat-free eating is healthy, or the belief that ‘miracle diets’ will provide permanent weight loss in a short time are also common mistakes. At this point, dietitians guide individuals with evidence-based nutrition plans tailored to their lifestyle and health status. They raise awareness in society, provide education, and offer personalized counseling to replace misinformation with correct and sustainable eating habits.”
Caution Against Non-Experts on Social Media
Lecturer Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu also noted that dietitians play an important role in enabling individuals to adopt healthy eating habits through information and awareness, stating, “They provide access to healthy information through public health initiatives, counseling services, and media. Social media is a tool that accelerates the spread of this information. However, information pollution can also occur due to misinformation shared by non-experts on social media. Therefore, efforts should be made to ensure individuals obtain information from reliable sources to protect public health.”
Hatunoğlu reminded that dietetics is a profession that can only be practiced by individuals who have graduated from university bachelor's programs in Nutrition and Dietetics and hold the 'dietitian' title. She added, “Therefore, when working with a dietitian, one should consult individuals who have a diploma and are approved by the Ministry of Health. It is important to educate the public on this matter through awareness campaigns on social media, public service announcements, and health institutions.”
Are Online Dietitian Services an Advantage?
Lecturer Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu stated that online diet services offer an accessible and practical solution, especially for individuals with busy schedules or living in different cities. She said, “They are advantageous in terms of time saving and comfort. However, the communication and motivational support established in face-to-face consultations may not always be achieved in online consultations. Therefore, it is important for online services to be conducted by experts and, when necessary, complemented with face-to-face support.”
Lecturer Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu also explained that dietitians are an important part of health teams, concluding, “Especially in conditions such as chronic diseases, eating disorders, obesity, and diabetes, they work together with other health professionals like doctors, psychologists, and physiotherapists to address an individual's health holistically. This cooperation both accelerates the treatment process and improves the individual's quality of life.”