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Welcome to the
Association for Dietetics in South Africa Press Office
The Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) is the professional organisation for Registered Dietitians. The primary aims of the Assocation are to serve the interests of dietitian in South Africa and promote the nutritional well being of the community.
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Let's talk about SA women and obesity
While overweight and obesity are on rise in general in South Africa, including among children and youth, the worst affected segment of our population is women. The World Obesity Atlas 2022 predicts that 50% of South African women will be not just overweight, but obese by 2030. This is the highest predicted obesity rate in all of Africa, and a major concern when it comes to women’s health. 4 Mar 2024 Read more

Navigating 2024's top nutrition trends with insights from registered dietitians
New knowledge and ongoing advances in nutrition science converge with our perennial quest for enhanced health and well-being. At the start of every year, we see predictions about emerging nutrition trends and projections about those that are growing strongly. While these trends may offer promising pathways to improved wellness for some people, it’s important to recognise the complexity of individual nutrition needs and find out if there are any potential risks before jumping on a bandwagon. 25 Jan 2024 Read more

How dietitians handle the holiday season
South Africa’s long summer holiday brings welcome relief after the hardworking, high-pressure year as well as well-deserved opportunities to fully enjoy festive traditions and indulgences. You want to make the most of the special times but also find the balance with your healthy lifestyle goals and habits. 8 Dec 2023 Read more

Vital role of nutrition in the TB recovery journey
South Africa bears one of the highest burdens of tuberculosis (TB) disease in the world. Year on year, the country has a high incidence of TB infections and tens of thousands of South Africans lose their lives due to TB disease. This is compounded by the prevalence of HIV-TB co-infection and ongoing issues with drug-resistant TB strains which makes treatments more lengthy and more costly. 14 Nov 2023 Read more

How to feel good with food
What we eat each day has an extraordinary impact on our lives. It not only affects our vulnerability to diseases over time, but it also influences our physical and cognitive abilities, as well as our emotional state. Healthy food choices matter. They empower us to perform and achieve at work and school and enable us to enjoy our leisure time more fully. 5 Oct 2023 Read more

Eating well to support kidney health
Most of us are inclined to take our hard-working kidneys for granted. However, like all other vital organs, our kidneys benefit from daily healthy habits. Physical activity and sufficient sleep are essential for overall health, but so are our daily food choices. Our kidneys are responsible for eliminating waste and toxins, as well as maintaining fluid balance in our bodies, controlling blood pressure and keeping our bones healthy. 31 Aug 2023 Read more

Is your workplace breastfeeding-friendly?
Working parents need all the support they can get to keep their livelihoods on track while raising families. This is most especially true for parents with a new baby. One of the biggest challenges parents experience when getting back to full-time work is what to do about infant feeding. Unfortunately, returning to work is one of the most common reasons why new moms don't even try or give up on breastfeeding. 1 Aug 2023 Read more

Powering employee performance
Corporate wellness needs nutrition focus 3 Jul 2023 Read more

Nourishing the brains and bodies of your school-age superstars
While there is so much today that is trumpeted as 'convenient and easy', many parents feel overwhelmed by the complexities and stresses of modern life. Time is always too short. Family life is often frenetic; overloaded with arduous work, school, and social schedules. In the midst of all this turbulence, we're striving to do the very best for our kids, including getting sufficient good food down their gullets every day. 19 Jun 2023 Read more

Understanding the impact of nutrition on autoimmunity
We're always on the lookout for a 'miracle' cure, especially those living with chronic conditions such as autoimmune diseases. Too often hope, driven by desperation, gets invested in the latest, greatest 'superfood', fad diet or nutritional supplement. While it is true that nutrition does play a critical role in the wide range of autoimmune diseases, there is no one nutrient, food or diet that can prevent or cure these debilitating health issues. 30 May 2023 Read more

Re-connecting in a diverse nutrition world
For the first time since the Covid pandemic disruptions, nutrition and dietetic health professionals from South Africa, Africa and further afield will be gathering in person in Somerset West for the 2023 Nutrition Congress. The three-day event, held from 18 to 20 April 2023 is co-hosted by NSSA (Nutrition Society of South Africa) and ADSA (Association for Dietetics in South Africa). 17 Apr 2023 Read more

Changing conversations about overweight and obesity
Over the past few decades, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in South Africa has risen to alarming rates. Overweight and obesity carry an immense risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Obesity is closely associated with numerous other serious health risks including cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Half of all South African adults are either overweight (23%) or obese (27%). According to the World Obesity Atlas 2022, 50% of South African women will be obese by 2030, the highest predicted rate in Africa. 28 Mar 2023 Read more

Load shedding affects SA healthy lifestyles
Load shedding dishes up a wide range of inconveniences and frustrations, but it may well be having far more serious effects when it comes to our eating habits. There are increasing concerns that extensive and sustained power cuts are leading to a rise in fast food consumption as South Africans experience fewer undisrupted opportunities to prepare fresh meals at home. It's our health, and the health of our loved ones that will take a toll from this pivot to takeaway and convenience meals. 24 Feb 2023 Read more

Dietitians weigh in on top 2023 nutrition trends
Each year that passes amplifies how vital health and wellness are to the pursuit of living our best lives. We constantly look to the latest trends in nutrition, exercise, and emotional well-being in the hope of finding better ways to nourish and strengthen ourselves. 2023 will be no different. What is becoming more critical though, is the need to be able to sort the fads and fakes from affirming, sustainable strategies that will truly support enhanced well-being. 16 Jan 2023 Read more

Busting the diabetes food myths
When it comes to diabetes, South Africa, unfortunately, notches up some all-time high statistics. According to the International Diabetes Federation, with more than 4.2 million adults living with the condition, of which an estimated 45.4% people are undiagnosed, South Africa has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Africa at 11.3% of our population. To make matters worse, it is estimated that an additional 13 million South Africans, that's one in three adults, have impaired fasting glucose (IFG) which puts them at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This is the highest prevalence of IFG in the world. 2 Nov 2022 Read more

How to make healthy eating choices easier
According to Statistics SA, the consumer price inflation was 7.6% in August, down from 7.8% in July 2022. Food and non-alcoholic beverages (NOB) are among the main contributors to the annual inflation rate of 7.6%. The prices of food and NOB have increased by 11.3% year-on-year and contributed 1.9 percentage points to the total consumer price index (CPI) annual rate of 7.6%. The soaring costs of the monthly food basket is forcing most South African households to make some changes. Given the country's high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, which are impacted by an unhealthy diet, it is vital that the current high cost of food doesn't become a barrier to healthy eating. 5 Oct 2022 Read more

Healthy eating for your kidneys
If you haven't ever paid much attention to the health of your kidneys, then today is the day to start! Our hard-working kidneys are as important as any other vital organs, and the consequences of not looking after them are severe. Several health conditions, including hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, all of which are prevalent in South Africa, put the kidneys under serious strain. This can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD), and ultimately, renal failure. 1 Sep 2022 Read more

Towards a pro-breastfeeding culture in South Africa
South Africa has one of the lowest rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for infants from 0 to 6 months on the continent. At a rate of less than 32% in 2016, it is unlikely that the country can meet the Who's (World Health Organisation's) global target of a 70% EBF rate by 2030. In line with international codes, the country has regulations in place to protect breastfeeding, and to limit the formidable marketing powers of infant formula producers. So, what more needs to be done? 2 Aug 2022 Read more

Corporate wellness: Eating well in hybrid work times
Two years have passed since corporate employees around the world made a sudden mass exodus from their workplaces. Today, there is a widespread return - some are back to a full 5-day week in the office, while others are implementing hybrid regimes. What everyone finds is that the culture, feel and rhythm of corporate life have been irrevocably changed. 21 Jul 2022 Read more

Healthy eating as the costs of living rise
Every visit to the grocery store is bringing new price shocks as South African consumers find themselves in a battle to make ends meet each month. The grim news is that fuel and food prices are expected to continue to rise over the second half of this year, keeping lower and middle income consumers under considerable, sustained financial stress. 4 Jul 2022 Read more


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