Workgroups - Ontario Dietitians in Public Health

ODPH Workgroups

ODPH members are active in one or more of the existing workgroups (and their sub-groups).

1. Anti-Racism in Dietetics

The Anti-Racism in Dietetics Workgroup aims to promote, support, and advance anti-racist public health dietetic practice through collaborative action and advocacy.

2. Body Diversity Workgroup

The Body Diversity Workgroup focuses on shifting the paradigm from a weight-centric health promotion approach to one that addresses the systemic injustices that result from weight bias, stigma, and discrimination. Weight bias, stigma, and discrimination intersect with other forms of discrimination and systems of oppression, including, but not limited to, colonialism, homophobia, transphobia, racism, classism, ableism, and sexism. This working group explores these intersections as well and provides recommendations for action at the public health level.

3. Child Care Workgroup

The goal of Child Care Workgroup is that child care settings in Ontario have menus and supportive nutrition environments which are founded in evidence, best (or promising) practices and reflects current recommendations for healthy eating.

4. Family Health Nutrition Advisory Group

The Family Health Nutrition Advisory Group develops strategies, initiatives and tools to support the Reproductive and Child Health sections of the Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS). The group provides an opportunity to share information on current best practices and new developments in the area of family health nutrition

5. Food Insecurity Workgroup

The Food Insecurity Workgroup provides an opportunity for collaboration, knowledge exchange and advocacy among Ontario Dietitians in Public Health (ODPH) members working towards effective solutions to the problem of household food insecurity (HFI).

6. Food Literacy Workgroup (on hold for 2025)

The Food Literacy Working Group offers a coordinated approach food literacy programming, networking, advocacy, policy, and evaluation. Specific goals are:

To network and share information about food skills and food literacy programming and resources.
To work on policy development and advocacy to build capacity in food skills and food literacy.
To coordinate the evaluation of food skills and food literacy including the development of practical evaluation tools and resources as appropriate.

7. Food Systems Workgroup

The Food Systems Work Group provides the opportunity for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and advocacy among ODPH members working towards a sustainable and just food system.

8. Healthy Eating in the Recreation Setting Workgroup (INACTIVE)

Provides an opportunity for consistency and improved efficacy in creating a supportive environment and policy development in the recreation setting in public health regions across Ontario. This group provides an opportunity for networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange among ODPH members addressing healthy eating in the recreation setting.

9. Marketing to Kids Workgroup (INACTIVE)

This workgroup supports, promotes, and advocates for municipal, provincial, and/or federal action regarding restricting commercial marketing of food and beverages to children and youth. Members also have the opportunity for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

10. ODPH Ad Hoc Committee: Public Health Advisory for Dietetic Training (PHADT)

This group is comprised of members from dietetic training programs (currently UofT – MPH, TMU and Western University) and other members interested in dietetic practicum experiences at local public health agencies. They meet at least twice per year. In 2022-2023, the group worked with MPH students to develop on-line modules to support student orientation to public health and public health nutrition (available here). These modules are used in some undergraduate courses as well and there are plans to update once the OPHS are released.

11. School Nutrition Workgroup

The School Nutrition Workgroup advocates for comprehensive healthy eating environments in Ontario schools. The group plans, supports and shares nutrition initiatives to improve the nutritional health of students. Practice groups include:

Student Nutrition Programs (SNPs)
BrightBites – a website for educators and others in the school community that provides evidence-based information and resources about food and bodies https://brightbites.ca/

Communities of Practice:

Eating Disorder Prevention
You’re the Chef