American Dietetic Association

The American Dietetic Association or ADA is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The ADA has nearly 70,000 members with approximately 75% of them being registered dietitians (RDs). Other members include dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs), educators, researchers and students.

Mission
Empower members to be the nation's food and nutrition leaders.

Summary of Activities
The ADA provides evidence-based nutrition information for the public. Their website can be found at www.eatright.org/, featuring approximately 5,000 pages of content.

The ADA maintains the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) where dietetic professionals receive their credentials upon completing the academic and professional requirements.

The ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) oversees all dietetic professional educational programs and is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the accrediting agency for education programs preparing dietetic professionals.

The ADA publishes the Journal of the American Dietetic Association bringing original research and critical reviews/reports to nutrition and dietetics professionals.

The ADA Foundation (ADAF) is the ADA's public charity established in 1966, dedicated to funding the future of dietetics through research and education.

The ADA works in conjunction with government affairs and public policy concerning nutritional and dietetic health concerns. The association works with the state and federal legislators on issues affecting consumers such as the Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy, the licensing of registered dietitians, child nutrition, obesity, food safety and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Additional Responsibilities
The ADA's annual Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo brings together thousands of nutrition and dietetic professionals, researchers, policy makers, health-care providers and industry leaders to discuss key nutritional issues affecting the American population.

History
The organization was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1917 by a group of ambitious women, led by Lenna F. Cooper and its first president, Lulu C. Graves. The group was committed to helping the government conserve food and improve the health and nutrition during World War I.

Organizational Structure
A Board of Directors made up of national leaders in food, nutrition and health oversees the ADA and its development.

Leadership/Directors
President: Jessie M. Pavlinac, MS, RD, CSR, LD President-elect: Judith C. Rodriguez, PhD, RD, FA Speaker of the House: Ethan A. Bergman, PhD, RD, CD, FADA Chief Executive Officer: Patricia M. Babjak

Membership
The ADA has close to 70,000 members of varying nutritional professions and concerns. These members include registered dietitians (roughly 3/4 of the members are RDs), dietetic technicians, registered dietetic technicians (DTRs), consultants, educators, researchers and students.

Publications
Journal of the American Dietetic Association http://www.adajournal.org/.

Statistics
The ADAF awarded approximately $280,000 to more than 220 students through undergraduate and continuing education scholarships during the 2008-2009 academic year.