According to an American Dietetic Association (ADA) survey, the primary source of nutrition information for most consumers is the media. Television tops the list, followed by magazines, then newspapers and radio. The next most likely source is friends and family, followed by books, then the Internet.
That means that health professionals at the “health club” don’t even make the list! So we may brand ourselves as a health and fitness facility, but our members don’t seem to recognize that we are capable of helping them do more than rack weights.
At any given time, half of the U.S. adult population is attempting to lose weight, and in today’s busy world, many Americans are looking for a “quick fix.” Both experts and celebrities want to tell us their latest idea on what a healthy diet looks like. Most ideas are no more than gimmicks that can have potentially dangerous health consequences.
According to a recent publication of the American College of Sports Medicine, consumers are very confused by food labels and Nutrition Facts panels, but are interested in nutrition. In 2005, the International Food Information Council surveyed 1,000 adults and found that consumers aren’t just tuned into nutrition messages — they’re acting upon them.
Seventy-five percent said they’re trying to eat more fiber and whole grains and about one-half said they are trying to consume more omega-3 fatty acids based on compelling nutrition messages they’ve heard.
And a whopping 83 percent say they’re interested in learning more about foods that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
It’s my experience that most people want to eat healthy and often know when they don’t. So we can thank the media for at least contributing to raising awareness. But possibly due to the conflicting information available, those same people don’t know where to begin to make the necessary changes.
Fitness professionals, such as personal trainers, have some nutrition training, but not enough to provide individualized nutrition assessments and counseling. They can, however, provide basic but important nutrition information.
Ideally, your club should have a nutritionist on staff. Be sure that the person is properly credentialed. There are some very fine certifications for nutrition professionals geared towards the fitness industry, including one from the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. AFPA has been granted full board professional accreditation & certification by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.
If your club doesn’t have a nutritionist on staff, it would be wise to find someone who is willing to regularly visit on a contractual basis. More and more, consumers are seeking out face-to-face consultations with experts who can answer their questions, provide personalized feedback, and grant individualized advice. They should be able to find such advice at their health and fitness facility. Who do your members ask for advice?
Judith Samuels, M.A. is a certified nutrition and wellness consultant and master personal trainer at Sport&Health Clubs in the Washington D.C. Metro Area. She can be reached via e-mail at judi@judisamuels.com.
