National Census of Nutrition Professionals: 2023 Findings

Abstract

This article presents a set of findings from the second National Census of Nutrition Professionals conducted in 2023. Specifically, it examines data aimed at characterizing the nutrition workforce in Argentina, composed of Dietitians, Nutritionists, Licensed Nutritionists, and Dietitian-Nutritionists.
The analysis considered a first sociodemographic and academic dimension, including territorial distribution, educational level, gender composition, and age-related differences; a second dimension focused on professional and labor characteristics of paid work, such as employment arrangements, duration of employment, and work settings; a third dimension addressing unpaid work, encompassing caregiving tasks and activities carried out in volunteer contexts; and lastly, a dimension assessing levels of expectations regarding professional fulfillment, income, and access to employment opportunities. Providing a detailed and comprehensive description of the nutrition workforce also leads to a series of questions and discussions regarding emerging issues. Accordingly, the article outlines a range of discussions that revisit these dimensions to reflect on the challenges of a young and highly feminized profession that, despite strong participation in the labor market, shows high levels of underemployment. This additionally requires analyzing the burden of unpaid work by gender, as well as recognizing professional challenges related to employment opportunities, low remuneration, and access to postgraduate training across age groups. Overall, the article offers not only a specific diagnostic overview but also an analytical perspective intended to support informed decision-making relevant to the nutrition profession.