What is the current situation of the Brazilian nutritionist’s job market after 80 years?

By Cristine Garcia Gabriel, Professor, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Department of Nutrition; Andhressa Araújo Fagundes, Professor, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Department of Nutrition, São Cristóvão, SE; Claudia Soar, Professor, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Department of Nutrition, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

Researchers from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) and the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS) recently published the study “Nutritionist’s job market: 80 years of history” which addresses the nutritionist’s job market, bringing aspects of the expansion of the number of professionals, profile and working conditions in the last decade (salary, working hours and areas of work). The journal was part of a Thematic Section of 80th year of Nutrition History in Brazil, launched by the Revista de Nutrição (Vol. 32). The research evidenced a significant increase in the number of professionals and in the possibilities of action, however, it highlights the need for improvements in the wage floor and in working days.

The work was carried out based on literature review and official data provided by the federal and regional nutritionist councils and other entities of the profession.

Image: Barbara Leone Silva

Among the data found, it is worth noting that in 2017 there were 126.539 nutritionists registered in the country’s regional councils, practically twice as much as in 2009. The largest contingent of professionals is still concentrated in the Southeast region of Brazil. The research also draws attention to the fact that the Federal Council of Nutritionists updated in 2018 the Code of Ethics and Conduct of the Nutritionist, as well as the areas of professional performance, defining new attributions and numerical minimum reference parameters by area (CONSELHO FEDERAL DE NUTRICIONISTAS, 2018). Public spaces for food security, primary health care and sports nutrition are examples of new fields for the nutritionist.

In the period of analysis there was an increase approximately 60% of the wage floor, however, still below the national average and other health professionals, and with longer working hours. Currently the national wage floor for the nutritionist is R$ 2.558.05.

The study is highlighted as it brings an updated picture of the nutritionist’s job market in the face of recent changes in the norms that regulate and guide the profession (VASCONCELOS; CALADO, 2011). It is expected that this research will strengthen the struggle for the identity and social legitimacy of the profession, especially, in order to guarantee the human right to adequate and sustainable food for all Brazilians.

References

CONSELHO FEDERAL DE NUTRICIONISTAS. Resolução CFN nº 600, de 25 de fevereiro de 2018. Dispõe sobre a definição das áreas de atuação do nutricionista e suas atribuições, indica parâmetros numéricos mínimos de referência, por área de atuação, para a efetividade dos serviços prestados à sociedade e dá outras providências, Brasília, DF, 20 abr. 2018.

VASCONCELOS, F.A.G. and CALADO, C.L.A. Profissão nutricionista: 70 anos de história no Brasil. Rev. Nutr. [online]. 2011, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 605-617, ISSN: 1415-5273 [viewed 2 April 2019]. DOI: 10.1590/S1415-52732011000400009. Available from: http://ref.scielo.org/yf8gw7

To read the article, access it

GABRIEL, C.G., et al. Nutritionist’s job market: 80 years of history. Rev. Nutr. [online]. 2019, vol. 32, e180162, ISSN: 1415-5273 [viewed 2 April 2019]. DOI: 10.1590/1678-9865201932e180162. Available from: http://ref.scielo.org/9rzx37

External links

Revista de Nutrição – RN: <http://www.scielo.br/rn>