The development of nutrition and dietetics education and accreditation system in Indonesia and various countries: A narrative review.

Abstract

The education and accreditation system of dietitian-nutritionists has gone through various changes throughout the years. These systems are important to produce competent nutrition professionals. Standardization attempts have been done internationally by the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations. Many countries have developed their own standards to educate and accredit nutrition professionals to ensure the quality of the nutrition and dietetic profession. Through internet and database searching, this paper aims to review and describe the education requirements and accreditation system of nutrition professionals in Indonesia and compare it to other countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore. Most countries, including Indonesia, require a minimum of bachelor's degree to be a nutritionist and a dietitian, whereas the US requires a minimum of master's degree. In Indonesia, there is also an additional one-year training program after completing the undergraduate study that need to be taken if an individual wants to register as a dietitian or nutritionist, while other countries have included this similar program to their undergraduate or master course. A certification exam to be a dietitian or nutritionist is required by Indonesia, the US, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, and Thailand, while the remaining others do not. In conclusion, differences in dietetic education and accreditation system were found. Indonesia's nutrition and dietetic education system already meet the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations standard and on par with some countries reviewed here. However, further improvements are still needed.