Characteristics of the nutrition provider in corporate and hospital wellness programs

This two-phase research project was conducted to examine the content of corporate- and hospital-sponsored wellness programs and to determine the characteristics of the nutrition provider. In the first phase of the study, a questionnaire was sent to 150 wellness program directors located throughout the United States to determine the nature of their total wellness program. In the second phase, questionnaires were sent to the nutrition provider to elicit specific information on the characteristics and requirements for that position. Results indicated that corporate- and hospital-sponsored wellness programs offered a variety of activities. Those incorporating a nutrition component offered a range of events from nutrition assessment to individual counseling and disease awareness programs. The position of nutrition provider was most often held by a 26- to 46-year old woman with a master's degree and experience and educational background in an allied health field other than dietetics or nutrition. Registered dietitians were more likely to be responsible for the nutrition component of a hospital program than of a corporate program. Our results suggest that opportunities exist for registered dietitians in the field of health promotion and wellness.