Fitness Australia introduce Nutrition Advice guidelines for AusREPs

Fitness Australia have today provided clarity to the fitness industry by introducing guidelines for AusREPs to follow when giving nutrition advice to clients through the release of Nutrition Advice within Scope of Practice for AusREPs.  

For Fitness Australia CEO, Bill Moore, the introduction of the guidelines is an important step for the Fitness Industry in providing quality services to clients Australia-wide.

“It’s designed to help AusREPs find the balance between providing the appropriate level of nutritional advice to the client, without providing information beyond their professional Scope of Practice.”

“There’s currently an expectation among some consumers for fitness services to provide nutrition advice, particularly when it comes to weight management and dietary supplementation,” said Bill.

As part of the guidelines, AusREPs are encouraged to provide basic healthy eating information and advice through the application of nationally endorsed nutritional standards and guidelines – in particular, the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

“Within the current scope of practice there’s ample opportunity for AusREPs to educate clients about nutrition and provide general healthy eating advice,” explains Bill.

“The document gives AusREPs clear guidelines as to what services they can (and can’t) provide in the nutrition space, and when it’s most appropriate to refer clients on to an Accredited Practising Dietitian or an Accredited Sports Dietitian.”

The Guidelines have been welcomed by both the DAA and SDA, who have acknowledged the need for collaboration between the Fitness Industry and Nutrition bodies.

“This has been an important collaborative step forward for our industries, with experts in the field working together over the past two years,” said Claire Hewat, CEO of the Dietitians Association of Australia.

“At its core, the Guidelines provide a framework for guiding safe practice in the nutrition space towards building a fitter and healthier Australia.”

Bev Friend, EO Sports Dietitians Australia adds, "This is an exciting step in the ongoing collaboration between the nutrition and fitness industries."

"We welcome the clarity that these guidelines provide, allowing AusREPs the opportunity to support their clients with appropriate and meaningful nutrition information to meet their health and fitness goals, while at the same time further strengthening the partnership that exists between AusREPs and Accredited Sports Dietitians."

To read the full guideline and how they affect you, go to fitness.org.au/nutrition

TO READ THE FULL GUIDELINE AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU GO TO FITNESS.ORG.AU/NUTRITION