The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) has 3,226 nutritionists with different categories: dietitian nutritionist, nutritionist and dietician, specialized clinical nutritionist, head of dietetics and teaching office, head of nutrition department and Dietitians, coordinators and supervisors of nutrition and dietetics, who work to ensure the nutrition of beneficiaries at any age or physical condition.
As of December 15, 2022, the institute has 2,554 nutritionists, representing 79.2 percent, and 672 nutritionists, constituting 20.8 percent. Of the total number of nutritionists, 545 are from the first level of care, 1,585 from the second level, 419 from the third level, 131 from the nursery, among others.
Nutritionist attached to the Department of Health Promotion in coordination with the first level units of the IMSS, Alma Belen Membrilla Torres, explained that in addition to ensuring the nutrition of the beneficiaries through food education and nutrition therapy, on outpatient consultation or hospitalization One of the main challenges of this association is to modify the eating habits of the population and increase awareness so that adults are the main teachers of healthy habits in children.
He informed that the institute has different categories of nutrition at different levels of care. At the first level of care, dietitians are nutritionists who focus on providing nutrition care through individualized counseling and guidance in nutrition education, that is, teaching the beneficiary and his or her family to eat healthy.
They indicated that within nutrition counseling, the nutritional status of the beneficiary is assessed with weight and height, and some other clinical data needed to establish a personalized eating plan.
“This eating plan is set up with a calorie and nutrient delivery calculation that ensures optimal nutritional status in addition to providing personalized follow-up with our patients,” said the nutrition graduate.
He added that nutritional guidance is done through NutrIMSS sessions, where nutritionists teach how to learn how to eat. “We have sessions for patients with chronic diseases, ie high blood pressure, overweight, obesity, diabetes.
We have NutrimSS sessions for Type 2 Diabetes patients, the main objective of which is to develop decision making skills in the patient that supports glycemic control and adequate weight gain.
LIC Membrilla Torres explained that there are sessions for toddlers, preschool and school children, aimed at teaching the responsible parent or guardian to eat healthy and live in a healthy environment for the whole family. In addition, there are NutrIMSS sessions for pregnant women and lactating.
Meanwhile, it indicated that in the second level of IMSS, activities to be performed by professional nutrition staff include providing nutritional care, including nutritional assessment, diagnosis, intervention and monitoring of hospitalized patients. Outpatient consultation.
Nutrition graduate said nutrition professionals of various categories in IMSS are responsible for planning menus, providing nutrition education and guidance to patients and family members, they also carry out research projects and participate in educational activities, Develop nutrition programs with a vision in the public. Health; They develop managerial functions that include the administration of resources, planning, direction, control, and evaluation of nutrition and dietetics service activities in family medicine units and hospital medicine units.
Meanwhile, he said, the activities carried out by professional nutritionist staff at the third level are responsible for the nutritional treatment of people who guarantee a complete, varied, adequate and safe diet that meets their nutritional needs according to their characteristics and conditions. Meets related requirements. , to recover or maintain their optimal nutritional status.
They noted that achieving this objective requires substantial activities of dietitian nutritionists, who provide assessment, diagnosis, and nutrition treatment to hospitalized and outpatient patients; nutrition and dietetics specialist, who evaluates, issues diagnosis, establishes, designs and calculates treatment, and provides follow-up; and Specialized Clinical Nutritionists with knowledge in public health, education, research, endocrinology, and geriatrics.
“We are nutrition professionals who are part of a team that contributes to the comprehensive care of each of the beneficiaries,” said nutritionist Alma Belen Membrilla.
