The weight loss industry is complex and often misleading, filled with fad diets, quick fixes and unsubstantiated claims. Through all of this, an online Master of Science (M.S.) in Nutrition program from Northwest Missouri State University stands out as a source of evidence-based expertise. This advanced degree provides nutrition professionals with the skills and understanding to help clients tackle weight loss and provide effective guidance to their clients.
The program offers a solid foundation of the science behind weight loss. Courses such as Trends and Issues in Nutrition explore the latest developments and future directions in nutrition. Students analyze how these trends impact the field of nutrition and develop strategies to address the challenges and opportunities they present.
The Sports and Exercise Nutrition course focuses on how nutrition and energy metabolism impact human health and performance. It examines the role of diet in preventing disease, promoting health and enhancing athletic performance while discussing the use of performance-enhancing supplements.
Intervention and Strategies for Health Behavior Change focuses on how people’s health habits significantly affect their well-being at all stages of life. Health professionals can use behavioral change models to help individuals adopt healthier behaviors and improve their overall quality of life.
The Role of Nutritionists: Food Choices and Physical Activity
Nutritionists have several responsibilities. They teach clients and communities about nutrition, food and health. They can work in a number of settings including hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, local health departments, school districts, private facilities, research facilities and sports organizations. Given their expansive responsibilities and the demand for them in various settings, the job outlook for nutritionists is 7% through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
One of the program’s biggest focuses that students learn is that high-quality foods should be the focus of a healthy diet, with appropriately sized portions. Examples of these foods include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats and protein sources. Lower-quality foods include processed snack foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains and sugar, fried foods, foods high in saturated and trans fats and high-glycemic foods. By understanding the recommended serving sizes for various food groups, individuals can make informed choices and avoid overeating.
Nutritionists should emphasize that safe and sustainable weight loss is achievable through food choices that emphasize the following:
- Focus on whole, unprocessed, high-quality foods, since they naturally control hunger, increase metabolism and promote fat-burning.
- Minimize eating fried foods, refined sugars and processed foods.
- Pay attention to portion size and use the plate method: half fruits and vegetables, a quarter of lean protein and a quarter of fiber-filled carbohydrates.
Physical activity is also an important component of weight loss. The Physical Activity Guidelines recommend how much exercise people need for health benefits. Adults should try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise of 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week. Spread activity throughout the week and do muscle-strengthening exercises for all major muscle groups at least twice a week. Children and adolescents should aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise daily and include muscle and bone-strengthening activities at least three days a week.
Nutritionists can help clients develop personalized exercise plans that align with their fitness goals and lifestyle. By understanding the principles of exercise physiology, nutritionists can provide guidance on the appropriate intensity, duration and frequency of physical activity.
Intermittent fasting is another technique for weight loss. This process involves eating all meals within a specific time window each day and fasting for the remaining hours. Studies suggest that short-term intermittent fasting, lasting up to 26 weeks, can be as effective for weight loss as following a daily calorie-restricted diet.
Beyond Weight Loss: The Broader Impact of Nutrition
Northwest’s program offers two specialized tracks that students can tailor to their career goals: the General Nutrition Track and Dietetics Internship Track. The General Nutrition Track emphasizes communication, management, and general nutrition knowledge, which is ideal for registered dietitians and nutritionists. The Dietetics Internship Track offers a nine-month practice to gain hands-on experience in clinical and community nutrition and food service management. This track is ideal for students with a background in the discipline. Eligibility requires a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program in dietetics.
While weight loss is a focus for many people, nutritionists play a significant role in fostering broader health outcomes for people of all experiences and backgrounds. Northwest’s program provides graduates with the knowledge to help clients improve their well-being and address chronic diseases, food allergies, nutritional deficiencies and more.
Learn more about Northwest Missouri State University’s online Master of Science in Nutrition program.
