Human Nutrition and Dietetics: Understanding the Profession and Development Actions in Jordan

Abstract

In Jordan, human nutrition and dietetics are among the most developed allied health professions, but documented information regarding its current status is generally not available. The purpose of this article is to clarify the status of this profession in the country and to trace the developmental activities that have taken place over the past five decades. Currently, there have been remarkable transitions in health attributes among Jordanians as related to nutritional status since fifty years ago. This is manifested in rapid dietary, socio-economic, epidemiologic, and demographic shifts. Accelerated changes have occurred in general health and nutritional status trends, including a decline in the incidence of infectious diseases, increased life expectancy, a surge in all levels of education, rise in urbanization, mechanization and market globalization, decreased physical activity, diets have become denser in energy and richer in carbohydrates, fat, and animal foods. Concordant troubling trends have been recorded for rising morbidity and mortality of major nutrition-related chronic disorders, particularly cardiometabolic risks including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, hypertension, as well as cancer. Consistency with this transition, patterns of nutrition and dietetics profession services have increased steadily. There are 10 public and 17 private universities in Jordan. Six public and five private universities offer degrees in human nutrition. One offers a doctoral degree, four offer a master's degree, and all eleven universities offer bachelor's degrees in human nutrition and/or dietetics or both. In line with these changes, the human nutrition and dietetics profession has gained significant official recognition and legal status permitting certification or licensing and consultation and private practice. However, additional legislative and regulatory attributes, internships and in-service training programs, and national diet manuals are required for such progress to continue at a steady pace. Therefore, there is a need for an official body to shape the landscape of the profession of human nutrition and dietetics in accordance with international standards.