By Gary J. Sanders
The American Diabetic Association or the ADA, as it is commonly referred to, is the world's largest organization comprising food and nutrition experts. There are more than 15 million US citizens suffering from diabetes today and the ADA aims to improve the nation's health by following a three-pronged attack - educating the masses, advocating healthier lifestyles and conducting extensive research on the subject so as to come out with better and more effective cures for the condition. Today, there are more than 68.000 members of the ADA, who enjoy privileges such as gaining access to professional resources, information on food and nutrition and so on.
ADA was founded in 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio, by a group of women. Lenna F. Cooper and the ADA's first president, Lulu C. Graves, led the movement and also helped the government improve public health and nutrition during World War I. At present, the ADA is governed by a 98-member House of Delegates.
The ADA's mission is to improve the entire nation's health by empowering its members to become leaders in food and nutrition. Affiliates of the ADA include fifty state dietetic associations, such as the American Overseas Dietetic Association, the District of Columbia and so on.
ADA Foundation
Established in 1966, the ADAF started off as a public charity. Providing support for education and research, it became the largest grantor of scholarships in the field. The ADAF now bestows more than $2,80,000 by way of scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students.
What sets ADA apart from the rest?
- Almost 75 percent of ADA's members are Registered Dieticians, meaning, they are trained to be competent professionals in the subject. Four percent are Dietetic Technicians and others come under the categories of educators, researchers, consultants and students.
- Besides the above, members of this vast organization come from a very wide range of areas and fields, including medical nutrition, public health, sports nutrition, nutrition therapy, diet counseling, cholesterol management, vegetarianism, foodservice management, heart and kidney disease management, educating students, educating professionals, research and so on.
- ADA's impressive website covers a wide range of topics on diabetes, food and nutrition and those seeking a health advisor can easily find a Registered Dietitian near their location.
- This organization's educational program, the CADE (Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education) is recognized by the United States Department of Education. The ADA Journal is most widely read, including latest world news, reviews, research and findings on the subject.
In its quest to help more and more people overcome disease, this organization encourages and funds research, offers its services to those suffering from diabetes and supports their families by giving them all the information they need on the subject. Additionally, the ADA conducts many fund-raising events in order to raise money for its varied activities. Many celebrities, who are members of this organization, also continue to fight for the cause of good health.
Volunteering for the ADA
As many as 20 million adults and children suffer from diabetes, in the US alone! The need of the hour is more volunteers willing to help the American Diabetic Association with its joint vision. Volunteering for the ADA gives you the opportunity of changing many lives for the better!
Gary Sanders is an expert on diabetes and diabetes sufferer. He has dedicated the last decade of his life to mastering every aspect of diabetes including nutrition, symptoms of diabetes, american diabetic association, diagnosis, and prevention. He has created an award winning guide that is available at http://www.DiabetesSymptomsGuide.com
