More than 99 percent of the American population does not maintain an "ideal" healthy diet and almost 80 percent are not physically active, according to American Heart Association data for 2012. With millions of people living with hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease, fitness and nutrition professionals are in great demand. You need not look far to find positions that allow you to help educate the public on the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise.
Registered dieticians help people implement healthy dietary changes in practical ways. They work in hospitals, schools, fitness centers, nonprofit organizations and in private practice. To become a registered dietitian, you must obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics. If your degree is outside the area of food science, you must complete additional coursework. To practice, you must also complete a supervised practice program and pass an examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Half of all registered dietitians with up to five years of experience earned an annual salary of $51,100 to $62,200 in 2009, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Fitness Trainer and Instructor
The job market for fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow 24 percent between 2010 and 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The projected growth comes at a time when nearly 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, as of 2012. Fitness trainers and instructors help people get into shape by promoting the benefits of regular exercise. To become certified, you must take and pass a written exam proctored by a third party. Some certifying agencies require a high school diploma or GED, while others do not. All require you to be at least 18 years old. Additional certifications are necessary to teach group fitness, yoga and other types of exercise. The national average salary for fitness trainers was $31,090 a year in May 2010, and the top 10 percent earned more than $63,400 a year.
Athletic trainers work under the supervision of a doctor or other health care provider to prevent, assess and treat muscle or bone injuries. They implement rehabilitation plans and monitor client progress. Athletic trainers may work in schools or therapy clinics, for performing artists or sports teams, and in the military. A bachelor's degree in athletic training from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education is required for you to become an athletic trainer. A degree requires that you take courses in anatomy, nutrition and physiology, and complete a clinical practice program. As of May 2010, the national average salary of an athletic trainer was $41,600 a year.
Health educators serve their communities by promoting good fitness and nutrition habits. They assess the needs of the individuals or groups they serve and develop programs to educate them about wellness. They work for health-care facilities, schools, nonprofits, government agencies and in business. You need a bachelor's degree or higher in public health or health education to practice, and some employers require the Certified Health Education Specialist credential. The national average salary for health educators was $45,830 a year in May 2010, and the Labor Bureau expects employment of health educators to increase 37 percent between 2010 and 2020.
- American Heart Association: Top Ten Things to Know AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2012 Update
- American Dietetic Association: Registered Dietitian (RD) Fact Sheet
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Fitness Trainers and Instructors
- American Council on Exercise: Personal Training Certification Comparison
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Athletic Trainer
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Health Educators
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