About two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight, and approximately one-half of those are obese. That puts one-third of all Americans at dangerously overweight.
According to market data, America has 72 million dieters. However, many of them never come close to reaching their weight-loss goals or, after meeting their goals revert back to their old lifestyle and put the weight back on. A 2006 New England Journal of Medicine study found that most people in weight-loss programs are back to their original baseline weight in three to five years.Obesity is the number 2 cause of preventable death in the United States (number 1 is tobacco, number 3 is alcohol). The medical costs associated with being overweight top $150 billion annually. In addition, people spend over $60 billion annually on non-medical attempts to control weight, take a look to the latest meticore real reviews.
Not surprisingly, therefore, the struggle to lose weight creates plenty of job opportunities for compassionate, enthusiastic people with a deep desire to help others feel healthy and live well.
In selecting our top weight-loss careers, we focused on job satisfaction, salary, and demand for the occupation. Many of the occupations are easy to enter.
The occupations are listed alphabetically. Some focus on the medical side of weight loss. Others on the social and lifestyle changes needed to succeed at losing and keeping off weight. Regardless of your talents and interests, there is a career here for you!
Twenty Great Weight-Loss Careers
1. Bariatric Nurse
Bariatric surgery improves lives. A growing number of people turn to gastric-bypass surgery to lose a significant amount of weight and live a longer, healthier life. On average, former gastric-bypass surgery patients are 100 pounds lighter. They feel better and are more active.
The increasing obesity problem in the United States has increased the demand for bariatric nurses. They work at bariatric treatment centers and also for surgeons specializing in obesity, these are the best prenatal vitamins.
Bariatric nurses provide patient care for the morbidly obese and bariatric-surgery patients. Bariatric nurses participate in pre-operative plans and provide post-operative recommendations. They educate obese patients about diet and nutrition. They also identify complications in bariatric patients. Quality nursing care and effective patient teaching often lead to positive patient outcomes.
The Certified Bariatric Nurse program provided by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery evaluates the professional competence of bariatric nursing practitioners. Candidates must be currently licensed as an RN and complete at least two years of nursing care for morbidly obese and bariatric-surgery patients.
Median annual salary in 2012 for a clinical bariatric nurse: $73,000 (Simply Hired).
2. Dietitian and Nutritionist
Dietitians and nutritionists have the challenging and rewarding opportunity to create healthy, yet tasty food and nutrition programs. They help people improve their eating habits. Some dietitians and nutritionists participate in important research projects. Dietitians work with you one-on-one to create a personalized nutrition plan that fits your specific needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Their expertise and knowledge ensure that your meal plan addresses any health concerns, nutrient deficiencies, and weight loss goals.
Some dietitians have a specialty, such as working as a community dietitian, clinical dietitian, outpatient dietitian, management dietitian, or a consultant. They work in hospitals, clinics, private practice, hospitals, schools, and business settings.
Corporate dietitians oversee a food service to promote healthy eating habits. Many companies hire dietitians to help lower their health costs. Dietitians are really important to provide tips and guidance for us to lose weight, a good diet complemented with exercise will allow us to reach our body goals, there’s the option to try the best weight loss pills for women in order to reach our dream body while continuing to enjoy the food.
Registered dietitians typically have more education and training when compared to nutritionists. Some dietitians and nutritionists have a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, food and nutrition, food service systems management, or a related field. Some dietitians have a master’s degree.
Registered dietitians are required to have a bachelor’s degree and complete coursework accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as to complete an ACEND-accredited, supervised practice program and to pass a national examination. Some registered dietitians have additional certifications in a specialized area of practice.
Median annual salary in 2011 for dietitians and nutritionists: $54,470 (Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS]).3. Exercise Physiologist
Just about anyone can say they’re a personal trainer; however, an exercise physiologist is a healthcare professional with a degree in exercise physiology and/or has been certified by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP).
Board-certified exercise physiologists develop individualized exercise programs to increase the physical endurance, strength, and flexibility of their clients. Exercise physiologists oversee the evaluation, improvement, and maintenance of the health and fitness of their clients.
Exercise physiologists work in athletic and healthcare settings in colleges and universities, fitness facilities, corporate wellness programs, rehabilitation clinics, and hospitals.
Median annual base salary for exercise physiologists: $45,136 (Salary.com)