This blog emulates a discussion that took place in Dr. Gingras’s FNP 500 seminar back in October of 2009. We were presented with an advertisement from the Dietitians of Canada, which is illustrated with this blog. After a few minutes of observation, we were asked to think about what this image says about our professional identity.
The surface impression of the ad appears to be a marketing technique by Dietitians of Canada to promote the dietetic profession and the services they provide to the community, via education and awareness. For me the first thing that came to mind reflected the fine print that dictates, “You can trust Registered Dietitians to give you good advice on nutrition. Their university training has given them the technical knowledge needed to master this most complex science.”
Primarily, I was pleased with the additive description to the picture of the dietitian on a balance beam with a pile of fresh fruits and vegetables; as it provided recognition of all the hard work and schooling people go through to become dietitians, as I feel not many people are aware of the great lengths people go through to be a Registered Dietitian now in days. Also, this ad portrays dietitians as experts because of their university degrees and knowledge of food science. Initially I felt this ad was well done, as it creates awareness of the profession, the value of dietitians, in addition to the importance of balanced eating.
However, as we began to discuss this ad in class, skepticism arose. It appeared that the ad also seemed the reinforce that dietetics is mainly focused on body weight, supported by the balance beam which the dietitian sat upon in the poster; where the concept of measuring out food, portion control, and eating a balance diet appraises the ‘evidence’ that supports the ‘need’ for dietitians. But this is not all dietitians do, we counsel on nutrition therapies for various diseases and illnesses, keep on top of new developments in nutrition, and address food security within a community.
Some additional criticism included how this ad further supports the stereotype of who a dietitian is, represented by a slim Caucasian female. Where perhaps if a male dietitian and or a group of multicultural dietitians of different shapes and sizes was used to promote this ad, then Dietitians of Canada would minimize the stereotype associated with what the public believes a dietitian is, as well as promote our diversity and acceptance within the profession, which in turn reflects our acceptance of the diversity within out community.
Lastly, some of the criticism also reflected how this ad attempts to make our professional identity legitimate by proclaiming our expertise in “complex science and technical knowledge.” But, perhaps this is an attempt to create a niche for our nutrition field amongst the health care community as unique and highly educated professionals who do have something to offer rather than blabber on about Canada’s Food Guide, which can be accessible online.
The surface impression of the ad appears to be a marketing technique by Dietitians of Canada to promote the dietetic profession and the services they provide to the community, via education and awareness. For me the first thing that came to mind reflected the fine print that dictates, “You can trust Registered Dietitians to give you good advice on nutrition. Their university training has given them the technical knowledge needed to master this most complex science.”
Primarily, I was pleased with the additive description to the picture of the dietitian on a balance beam with a pile of fresh fruits and vegetables; as it provided recognition of all the hard work and schooling people go through to become dietitians, as I feel not many people are aware of the great lengths people go through to be a Registered Dietitian now in days. Also, this ad portrays dietitians as experts because of their university degrees and knowledge of food science. Initially I felt this ad was well done, as it creates awareness of the profession, the value of dietitians, in addition to the importance of balanced eating.
However, as we began to discuss this ad in class, skepticism arose. It appeared that the ad also seemed the reinforce that dietetics is mainly focused on body weight, supported by the balance beam which the dietitian sat upon in the poster; where the concept of measuring out food, portion control, and eating a balance diet appraises the ‘evidence’ that supports the ‘need’ for dietitians. But this is not all dietitians do, we counsel on nutrition therapies for various diseases and illnesses, keep on top of new developments in nutrition, and address food security within a community.
Some additional criticism included how this ad further supports the stereotype of who a dietitian is, represented by a slim Caucasian female. Where perhaps if a male dietitian and or a group of multicultural dietitians of different shapes and sizes was used to promote this ad, then Dietitians of Canada would minimize the stereotype associated with what the public believes a dietitian is, as well as promote our diversity and acceptance within the profession, which in turn reflects our acceptance of the diversity within out community.
Lastly, some of the criticism also reflected how this ad attempts to make our professional identity legitimate by proclaiming our expertise in “complex science and technical knowledge.” But, perhaps this is an attempt to create a niche for our nutrition field amongst the health care community as unique and highly educated professionals who do have something to offer rather than blabber on about Canada’s Food Guide, which can be accessible online.
What do you think this image says about our professional identity?
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