Adam Romney

Adam, tell us yourself, your background, and your program at Ohio State.

I am a senior in Nutrition and Community Health as well as Dietetics at the Ohio State University. I will also graduate with a Minor in Exercise Science. I hope to work in community nutrition or more directly in sports nutrition. While the thought of working with professional athletes is alluring, I'm leaning more towards working with physically active populations in general.

How did you become interested in sports nutrition?
I've always been fascinated by human physiology. As a teenager I saw the effects of martial arts training on my non-athletic body and became very interested in physical activity. I hate to say it but vanity was ultimately what started my interest in sports nutrition. It's the classic story of a scrawny kid who starts working out, builds muscle and gains respect from his peers. Through high school I wanted to gain more muscle and I struggled with my fast metabolism. It took me quite some time to realize that what worked for body builders would never work for me. At the college level I became more educated and took courses in exercise science and nutrition. I can't say that I've gained very much muscle, but I’m fit and healthy. I've become a fairly strong supporter of the Set Point Theory, needless to say.

You won the award for the best undergraduate poster at the 2006 Symposium poster session. Tell us about that and how you got involved in research?
I was invited to aid in Dr. Buell's pilot study as a student research assistant. I had never participated in research from the researcher's end before and Dr. Buell encouraged me to gain experience. My poster was entitled, ‘Predictive Equations Underestimate Resting Metabolic Rate in Division I Intercollegiate Female Athletes.’ I worked as a lab technician and analyzed data. After collecting measurements, we discussed what the information could show us. I will also present this research at the Annual Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, which is held for Ohio State students from all fields.

What have you learned working in nutrition research?
I learned that some of the practices used in dietetics for a sedentary population are not appropriate for athletic populations. I also became aware of how important research is and how much valuable information and questions arise from conducting research. It’s fun speculating what underlying factors generated certain results. I also have an appreciation for the work that goes into conducting research.

How have you gained experience in sports nutrition?
I have many opportunities to experience the work of sports dietitians since I am an employee of Ohio State Sports Nutrition. Dr. Jackie Buell, PhD, Director of Sports Nutrition, is also my advisor for the research I presented at SCAN’s Symposium. Ohio State Sports Nutrition is an umbrella of sorts for a small student contingent interested in sports nutrition. Some of these students also attended SCAN’s Symposium. One of the benefits of being part of this group is that we are able to shadow dietitians as they consult with athletes. Also, I can't speak highly enough about how Dr. Buell is always willing to answer my questions and keep me informed about educational opportunities. Most recently she invited me to participate in a University sponsored Minority Health Fair. That was actually a lot of fun.

Tell us about your work in the Ohio State Sports Nutrition program.
The majority of my work for Ohio State Sports Nutrition is in entering diet records for the team dietitians and setting up educational sports nutrition posters for the athletes. More importantly, I gain valuable opportunities from working for this organization. I have provided input on newsletters and educational posters. I have shadowed one of the dietitians, Sarah Wick, RD, while she was consulting the Buckeye football team. It was a great learning experience to see exactly what she does when she consults with the athletes. I am currently collaborating with her to develop an educational session for local grade school children.

What is your connection with physical activity?
I have a desire to work in exercise training and physical activity promotion. My exercise science minor will be an asset in becoming certified through the ACSM. This desire is stemmed partly from my work as a karate instructor for four years. This is really what started my interest in nutrition and physical activity.

How might you combine nutrition and exercise into a career?
I've considered working as a private consultant on diet habits and personal training. I’ve also thought about owning my own fitness facility that includes nutrition and exercise experts. There is a lot of appeal in educating children on healthy lifestyles. I would love to work with schools to encourage grade school students to practice healthy eating and exercise habits. Long-term care is another career path I've considered. I would find it extremely rewarding to maintain or improve the quality of life of others as they age. As you can see, I have many ideas.

Are you interested in the being a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD)? What advantage might you obtain from having the CSSD credential?
Everyone in this field, student or professional, knows that there is a lot of information being published and broadcasted that isn't factual or supported by science. The public is being told so many different things that a standard is essential. I am very interested in becoming certified in Sports Dietetics through the Commission of Dietetic Registration. It helps to have an identified source supporting one's credentials. Clients will also have more faith in dietitians if they know that they've gone through the extra effort to become certified.

What are your long-term goals?
Overall my goals involve preventative health. I am currently undecided as to my exact plans after graduation. I may pursue a Master’s degree immediately after graduating or I may enter the workforce.

What else would you like to share with other students?
The best thing a student can do is to take advantage of professional opportunities. The SCAN Symposium was a great experience and priced very reasonably for students. I know that we all had a great time getting to know the top sports nutrition professionals and attending all of the seminars. We're hoping that next year there will be even more Buckeyes at Austin, Texas. I hope to go but I'll have to see where I'm at in my internship or otherwise.

Link to the OSU site to view an article on the SCAN Symposium poster award:

SCAN Symposium Award

6/12/06