Dietetic and nutrition associations worldwide

Why associations matter

Professional associations do the work that keeps a profession strong: they set practice standards, accredit education, run continuing professional development, publish journals and position papers, negotiate with governments and employers, and give members a network. For companies, the industry associations shape regulation, publish market and consumer data and run the codes of practice that build trust.

Every association below has an official website that we checked. Member numbers are shown only where the association publishes them.

International federations

International Confederation of Dietetic Associations

The International Confederation of Dietetic Associations (ICDA) is the global umbrella body, with 50 member national dietetic associations representing 200,000 dietitian-nutritionists^[1]. It sets international standards for dietitian education and practice, supports associations in countries where the profession is young, and organises the International Congress of Nutrition and Dietetics. The 20th congress will be held in Dublin from 15 to 19 August 2028, hosted by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute^[2].

European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians

EFAD has represented dietitians across Europe since 1978 and describes itself as the voice of more than half the dietetic profession in Europe, with more than 35,000 dietitians and 9,000 students in 28 countries^[3]. It works on education standards, professional recognition across EU borders and nutrition policy.

National dietetic associations

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (United States)

Founded in 1917 as the American Dietetic Association, the Academy represents more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners^[4]. Its credentialing agency, the Commission on Dietetic Registration, maintains the RD/RDN register^[5]. The Academy runs the annual Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE). See the United States hub.

British Dietetic Association

Founded in 1936, the BDA is the only UK body representing the whole dietetic workforce, with more than 13,000 members and a goal of 20,000 by 2034^[6]. See the UK hub.

Dietitians of Canada

Dietitians of Canada, first established as the Canadian Dietetic Association in 1935, is the national professional association. It co-organised the Half Your Plate Symposium in Toronto in April 2026^[7]. See the Canada hub.

Dietitians Australia

Dietitians Australia represents more than 9,000 members in Australia and overseas^[8] and runs the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) program. Its next national conference is in Sydney from 13 to 15 August 2027^[9]. See the Australia hub.

Japan Dietetic Association

The Japan Dietetic Association had 48,449 members at the end of March 2026^[10], making it one of the world's largest national dietetic associations. See the Japan hub.

Other national associations

The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute, Dietitians New Zealand, the Indian Dietetic Association, the Association for Dietetics in South Africa, the Nederlandse Vereniging van Diëtisten (about 3,000 members^[11]), the Swiss SVDE ASDD (over 1,600 members^[12]) and many more represent the profession nationally. Each country page names the association and links to it.

Nutrition science and clinical nutrition societies

• The American Society for Nutrition runs the NUTRITION annual meeting, in Las Vegas in July 2027 and Boston in June 2028^[13].
• ESPEN, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, publishes clinical nutrition guidelines and holds the annual ESPEN Congress^[14].
• National nutrition societies, such as the Chinese Nutrition Society, the Nutrition Society in the UK and Ireland, and the Nutrition Society of Australia, run scientific meetings and in some countries voluntary registers for nutritionists.

Obesity organisations

• The World Obesity Federation brings together more than 80 associations in over 100 countries and territories^[15].
• The Obesity Society organises ObesityWeek, held from 14 to 17 November 2026^[16].
• The European Association for the Study of Obesity organises the European Congress on Obesity^[17].

Supplement and wellness industry associations

• The Council for Responsible Nutrition is the leading US trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry and publishes an annual consumer survey^[18].
• The Natural Products Association represents more than 10,000 retail, manufacturing, wholesale and distribution locations^[19].
• IADSA is the global association of the food supplement sector, linking national associations worldwide.
• Synadiet represents France's €2.9 billion supplement market^[20]; Complementary Medicines Australia represents Australia's A$6.3 billion supply chain^[21]; and the Korea Health Supplements Association publishes national health functional food statistics^[22].
• The Global Wellness Institute sizes the US$6.8 trillion wellness economy^[23].

How associations can join the network

Regional, national and international associations can create a profile on our member directory, publish events, continuing education, jobs and articles, and reach dietitians, nutritionists and companies worldwide. Association membership starts at $14.95 a month:

• Association Bronze: profile and event listings.
• Association Silver: adds articles, jobs and photo albums.
• Association Gold: top placement and every post type.

Compare all levels on the membership page.