On a computer, perform a web search for nutrition-related websites. You will nee

Question

On a computer, perform a web search for nutrition-related websites. You will need to search several sites to look for ones that have reasonable and reliable nutrition advice. Review potential websites and find out from each the source of the information. Identify the information sources of the websites: is it a private company, a government agency, or a school or university? Compare the different websites for their level of reliability of information and summarize the websites chosen by supporting your ideas with relevant facts or research, with references included.

Explanation / Answer

A. Nutrition related websites: Finding reliable nutrition information can be quite the challenge in this age of information overload. Everyone knows you can't believe everything you read or hear about nutrition, but we all fall prey to believing the last factoid we have seen or heard. It's well known that the Internet is full of both factual and fallacious information.

According to a 2011 the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) survey most people are seeking nutrition information from television, magazines, and the Internet. So you might want to look more critically at the nutritional information you have been relying on.

B. Finding a Nutrition Expert: One way to gather information is to seek out a professional for nutritional advice. But this is not as straightforward a solution as it might seem. There are considerable differences in training among the people who hang out their shingles offering nutritional help, and it pays to know the background of the person from whom you seek nutritional advice.

C. Registered Dietitians: While many health professionals have at least minimal training in nutrition, it is the registered dietitian (RD) who is most highly trained in nutrition. A registered dietitian completes a four-year degree from an accredited university. They are trained in all facets of nutrition, everything from basic nutrition to treating nutrition-related medical conditions through the use of a modified diet. Consumers can find a registered dietitian in their area by using AND's (the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) "Find a Registered Dietitian" referral service. A link is provided on AND's home page.

D. Dietitians and Nutritionists: Most states regulate dietitians or nutritionists through licensure, certification, or registration. The laws differ from state to state and some are stricter than others. Some states will allow the use of the title "nutritionist" by noncertified individuals, but not the title "dietitian." Other states regulate both titles.

E. Evaluating Nutritional Information on the Web:

Surfing the Web for nutrition information may be the trickiest venture of all. There are billions of websites in cyberspace, so entering a nutrition-related term into a search engine may result in hundreds, if not thousands, of "hits" making it difficult to decipher reliable information from quackery. But there are some ways to narrow your search and be reasonably certain of getting good information.

Start with the URL suffix. Use non-commercial websites first, e.g. websites ending in .org, .edu, or .gov. Websites using a ".com" suffix may or may not be sources of reliable information. Pay attention that who is running the website, the purpose of the website, and the credentials of the authors. Who funds the website? This can affect the information it presents, how it presents the information, and what the owner's purpose is for the website. Also, check for the currency of the material by looking for a date that indicates when the material was written or last reviewed.

Look for the HON or Health on the net, symbol on the site. Health websites that can be trusted should display the HON code symbol from the Health On the Net Foundation in the lower right corner of their homepage (You can also find it in the bottom right margin of this page) Sites with this symbol adhere to the HON code set forth by the HON Foundation, a nongovernment organization that was founded to promote the dissemination of quality health information online.

F. Government Websites: Federal government websites (.gov) are good resources for peer-reviewed scientific nutrition information. You will want to check the date that information was posted to the website to ensure that you are reading the most up to date information. College and university (.edu) websites can be counted on to provide reliable research-based information that is unbiased and peer-reviewed. Again, check the date to see when the information was posted.

G. Professional Nutrition Websites: Professional organizations, non-profit organizations, consumer groups, and trade organizations are among those groups that use the .org designation for their websites. The information on these sites should be screened. Websites of organizations like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Heart Association, the Institute of Food Technologists, and the American Diabetes Association provide complete and accurate information you can rely on.

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