Technology's Place in Dieticians’ Practice

By Piper Borsch - LinkedIn

Integrating technology into healthcare has changed the industry for the better, particularly in the realm of nutrition where dietitians are at the forefront of change. Nutrition is one of the most important forms of healthcare going through this change. Mobile apps, wearable technology, telemedicine platforms, artificial intelligence, genomics, and data analytics are just a few ways technology is positively integrated into nutrition. This technology must be accessible to more of the population. For this to happen the population needs to be informed of the technology and its benefits as well as how to use and access it thus empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and dietary choices. Researchers at the National Center for Biotechnology Information suggest, "There is a need to develop improved and more comprehensive approaches towards studying interactions and correlations among multimodal clinical time series data." To better comprehend how technology is transforming nutrition, this informative paper will examine technology’s critical role in digital health. 

Wearables and Mobile Apps

Technology has made nutrition management solutions more accessible to a wider audience, especially in the form of wearables and mobile apps. People can now easily check their food intake, keep an eye on their physical activity, and get individualized recommendations. Based on their height, weight, gender, health conditions, and anything else that could contribute to their BMI. With the help of meal planning tools, recipe recommendations, and calorie tracking, clients can make healthier food choices suited for them specifically leading to healthier lives.

Furthermore, wearable technology—such as Apple Watches and Fitbits—widely monitors health patterns and indicators. These smart devices track physiological patterns including heart rate, sleep patterns, how much water and food they have had in a certain period, and any physical activity. A beneficial health app according to Ulker with The Journal of Intelligent Systems with Applications, "Keenoa is a smartphone image-based dietary assessment app that recognizes and identifies food items using artificial intelligence." Wearable technology acts as a person's constant travel companion by giving real-time input on health metrics. In addition, these devices can encourage healthy living. It is entertaining at times to check your app or watch and see how many steps you’ve and try to meet or exceed a goal. Some new and upcoming wearable technologies are Apple watches, FitBit, and even some phones.

Telehealth

The World Health Organization indicates that platforms for telemedicine have shown to be revolutionary in the delivery of nutrition services. No matter where they live, people may get expert dietary guidance from qualified dietitians through virtual consultations. In addition to making healthcare more accessible for people living in areas that may not have good healthcare, none of the quality near them, or if they’re unable to leave their house. This remote delivery strategy promotes continued involvement and support, which enhances health outcomes. It can be more convenient for both parties involved.

Artificial Intelligence

Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning technology have brought about a new era of personalized nutrition. Ulker, a German health researcher of The Journal of Intelligent Systems with Applications stated, "It is thought that different apps such as food preferences and dietary intake can play an important role in health promotion." Artificial intelligence systems analyze large data sets to predict certain health outcomes depending on the patient, provide recommendations based on individual needs, and provide insights into dietary requirements. Artificial intelligence and virtual assistants offer individualized advice and assistance based on the interests, objectives, and intended outcome of the user, improving commitment to nutritional treatments.

Genome Mapping, Big Data, and Individualized Nutrition

In addition, individualized nutrition has been made possible by advancements in genetics. An example of this life-changing technology advancements was studied by researchers at the National Libary of Medicine, "Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are now quickly and inexpensively acquired, raising the prospect of creating personalized dietary recommendations based on an individual's genetic variability at multiple SNPs.” Genetics can play a large role in what is best for your body in weight loss or just becoming healthier. Nutritionists can customize dietary recommendations depending on an individual's genetic and metabolic profile by examining genetic data. This personified strategy reduces the risk of eating disorders, targets particular nutritional needs, and maximizes the effectiveness of dietary therapies. Sometimes just plain numbers and data can be more helpful than coaching and advice.

Big data drives data analytics, which is crucial for managing population health. Researchers and medical professionals can find trends, correlations, and patterns in dietary practices and health outcomes at the population level by examining big data sets that include information from nutritional surveys, electronic health records, and handheld device data. Narrowing down a problem to one or a few causes can prevent further cases.  Public health policies, interventions, and programs that enhance nutrition and prevent diet-related diseases on a societal level are informed by this evidence-based approach.

In summary, digital health and nutrition are becoming increasingly dependent on technology. The company Brooklyn Data Co. provides data that, Technological advances in sectors like wearables, mobile apps, telemedicine platforms, AI, genomics, and data analytics are radically altering how people manage their eating habits, access nutrition services, and understand the complex relationship between diet and health. By using technology, we can make nutrition services more accessible, motivate people to make healthier choices on how to eat and exercise and build a society that is healthier, stronger, and more intelligent on nutritional health. When it comes to general well-being and nutrition, the potentially transformative power of innovation and technology in healthcare is boundless. It is possible to achieve an incline in health and customized nutrition for all people in the future if we adopt these technological breakthroughs.

For students looking to prepare for a career in this rapidly evolving field, there are several ways to be prepared.

Action Steps:

• Use Apps and Wearables: Monitoring food consumption and physical activity with mobile apps and wearable technology can give students information about their health-related habits and areas for development.
• Utilizing Telehealth platforms: Students can get expert nutrition counseling and support from a distance, guaranteeing that they will obtain individualized instruction even with hectic academic schedules.
• Personal Nutrition: Personally experiencing these changes in your own nutrition are important. Making your own intentional and methodological dietary decisions not only improve your general well-being and success, but give you a more confident understanding of the importance of these features.
• Enhance Your Data Skills: Take methods and statistics classes seriously, and try to get experience as an RA or contributor in a population-level wellness or related data analytics initiative. This will help you develop essential skills valued in the field and boost your resume significantly.