There is a Spanish quote that says "The belly rules the mind", and as a nutritionist you will know that the food we eat can have a huge influence not only on our physical wellbeing but also on our mental wellbeing. If you are interested in bringing your knowledge of the healing power of eating nutritious food, volunteering your skills as a nutritionist can be extremely rewarding.
Why Volunteer?
Malnourishment is a public health issue, even in a first world country such as Australia, due to lack of education or poverty. On the website of Dietitians Australia (DA), Australia's peak body for dietetics and nutrition professionals, the prevalence of malnutrition varies from 32 to 72% in aged care facilities, and about 43% in hospitals.
To lower the risk of malnutrition in the country or address health issues associated with poor nutrition, find an organisation that resonates with your values – it could be a local community organisation, a national charity, or an international aid organisation. Whether they are based locally or abroad, many charities and organisations simply don't have the resources to employ staff full-time. Medical systems in many countries are often stretched, and so a nutrition student or community health workers who specialise in the field of nutrition and wish to volunteer their services are vital resources for many countries' healthcare systems.
How Do I Find Opportunities?
If you are looking for volunteer opportunities with a nutrition program, your first port of call should be the volunteer peak body in your state or territory. This will provide you with valuable information about the role of volunteers in the management of malnutrition and providing nutritional education to the public. This may also point you in the direction of an organisation needing assistance. You could also try the websites of any charity you are affiliated with or feel an affinity for. Most organisations will need qualified and experienced professionals, so make sure your qualifications are current and things such as insurance are up-to-date.
What is Involved in a Nutrition Volunteer Program?
A health professional who is knowledgeable or skilled in nutrition can improve the quality of life for people who are at risk of malnutrition or are suffering from chronic diseases due to poor diet. Sounds like you? Well, there are plenty of organisations in and outside Australia that could use your assistance in running their feeding programs or managing a food bank in your community.
As a volunteer for a nonprofit organisation that aims to give everyone in the country access to food and nutrition, you play a vital role in educating the community about the importance of food security and maintaining a balanced diet. In addition, as a volunteer, you will bring your knowledge to the screening for undernutrition and identifying different factors for undernutrition in children, adults, elderly people, disabled persons and other vulnerable groups.
Besides providing education on the importance of healthy food choices and delivering food supplies to destitute areas in your community, you can talk to your organisation about nutritional supplements that can benefit everyone.
Depending on the organisation where you volunteer, you will be faced with people who may have experienced difficult circumstances in their lives. As a volunteer, you will be supported by training, being briefed appropriately, as well as ensuring your personal security.
Volunteering your time and skills as a nutritionist is so rewarding, knowing that you are helping to build healthy and strong communities.
Originally published on Mar 09, 2011
