Briefing on the OPDQ's first Summit on Food and Nutrition - "Working together
for collective wellness: a pressing issue"

MONTREAL, March 23 /CNW Telbec/ - The Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec (OPDQ) yesterday held the first ever Summit on Food and Nutrition in Quebec, bringing together important actors in the field including government ministries and agencies, professional associations, community and health groups, academics, stakeholders in the agriculture and food production sectors as well as OPDQ members. This one-day summit was conceived as a public forum for discussing an array of issues around food and nutrition in Quebec.

Food and nutrition are central to our lives. Facing issues such as an ageing population, increasing rates of chronic disease, rising healthcare costs, and evolving farming and food production practices, the need for a public forum such as this summit is clear.

The first point of the day, which met with general agreement among assembled stakeholders, was the need for professionals in sectors concerned with food and nutrition to stop working in isolation and adopt a concerted approach. "Given the magnitude of the challenges facing Quebec society, both right now and in the near future, there is an urgent need to take action and work together for the collective wellness of the Quebec population," declared OPDQ President Michel Sanscartier.

The next point raised was the need for dietitians/nutritionists to be present across the healthcare continuum, from the promotion of healthy lifestyle choices to disease prevention and treatment. This would mean securing a place for dieticians/nutritionists in Family Medicine Groups (GMFs) as well as in second and third-line healthcare facilities. "We are happy to see that the summit has raised public awareness of the unquestionable importance of dieticians/nutritionists and their role as recognized food and nutrition professionals in the healthcare and social services systems," OPDQ president Sanscartier continued.

This discussion point should inspire the OPDQ and its membership to redefine their profession's future, clarify the role of dietitians/nutritionists, and use their expertise to the fullest in order to meet the full range of the public's needs and offer them the best possible nutritional services.

The OPDQ will continue to take a leadership role in food and nutrition issues by releasing a report recommending actions and concrete measures following the summit. The OPDQ will focus on promoting interdisciplinary collaboration among all professionals concerned with issues related to food and nutrition with the goal of working together for collective wellness.

About the OPDQ

The Professional Code of Quebec recognizes the members of the Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec as the sole specialists in human nutrition. The mandate of the Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec is to protect the public in matters of food and human nutrition by regulating and monitoring the quality of professional practice and by maintaining and developing the professional skills of its dietician/nutritionist members.

By issuing statements and taking focused strategic measures, the OPDQ contributes to the health and wellness of individuals and the general population, promoting health-conscious environments conducive to sound dietary habits, and supporting its members in their professional development. Furthermore, the OPDQ advocates measures for greater education and access to information that is reliable, accurate and in the public interest, allowing citizens to make well-informed decisions about food and nutrition.

For further information: Daniel Fortier, Enigma communications, [phone], ext. 209, Cell.: [phone], [email protected]