Swedish Association of Dietitians

The Swedish Association of Dietitians (in swedish – Kost och Näring - en branschförening inom Ledarna) was founded in 1921 and has approximately 1000 members. The association is connected with the trade union Ledarna and has 20 regional subdivisions all over the country.

Most members are administrative dietitians with a focus on food service management with the responsibility for feeding groups of people in health and disease within an institution or the community. The working areas of the health care field are: hospitals, nursing homes and primary health care. Administrative dietitians also work as staff in school and military restaurants, catering companies and as community advisers. In Sweden every child in elementary school (age 6 to 15 years old) is served a free nutritional, warm meal in school and this is an important working field for many administrative dietitians.

Since 1972 SAD has been a member of the Europeen Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD). Every year the representatives have a meeting where guidelines for the future European work of dietitians are drawn up. At present very important and interesting work is happening on the European Dietetic Benchmark Statement.

Other international organisations which SAD are a member of is the International Confederation of Dietetic Organisation (ICDA) and also, since June 2005, the HCI. These international professional contacts are very important for our members and therefore SAD is really looking forward to networking with other colleagues working in the same area in other countries!

The aims of SAD are:

• To promote professional, economical
  and social interests of its members
• To promote the development
  of the dietetic profession
• To promote training, education
  and the work of dietitians
• To promote international
  professional contacts

Education programmes for dietitians
in Sweden include:

• Three universities in Gothenburg,
  Uppsala and Umeå
• Basic course, 3 years leads to a BSc in
  Catering or Dietetics
• A fourth year leads to a MSc in
  Catering or Dietetics

SAD has a website: www.kostochnaring.se and a journal – Dietisten ( the Dietitian ) with 6 issues every year.

Every second year the Swedish Association of Dietitians arrange study days and the next event will take place on 27th – 28th September 2006, in Gothenburg. More details about the study days will be available on the website in February 2006.

2006 Board Meetings will be held on:

• 13th January
• 4th March
• 17th March
• 5th May
• 26th – 27th August
• 29th September
• 18th November

For further information contact:
Karin Lidén
President
The Swedish Association of Dietitians
Email: karin.liden@kramfors.se

Annika Larsson
Vice President
The Swedish Association of Dietitians
Email: annika.larsson_vessby@vgregion.se

Birgit Josefson
International Delegate
The Swedish Association of Dietitians
Email: kostutbildning@swipnet.se
Email: info@kostochnaring.se

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