A specialist in renal nutrition is encouraging other Bermudians to follow in her footsteps.

Royce-Ann James, who has been working in nutrition for almost 14 years, said she was Bermuda’s first and only board-certified specialist in renal nutrition.

“March is national nutrition month and I would like to promote the dietetic profession as it is in demand here on the island with the prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and renal failure,” Ms James, who is also the president of the Bermuda Dietitian Association, told The Royal Gazette .

She said there were many opportunities for dieticians in the community and private sector.

“I encourage anyone out there to focus on something that is needed in Bermuda,” she said. “It’s a great investment — I can vouch for that.”

Ms James had to meet rigorous speciality practice requirements and pass a four-hour examination in the United States to become board certified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

According to Ms James, the number of people suffering from kidney disease in Bermuda has increased by about 30 per cent over the past seven years.

While the most common cause is uncontrolled diabetes and uncontrolled high blood pressure, she said it could also be hereditary. She added that while it was “not exactly life-threatening, it is life-altering”.

As a specialist in renal nutrition, she can work directly with adults and children who have acute or chronic renal disease or failure, or indirectly through management, education or research practice linked specifically to renal nutrition.

“Renal dietitians have specialised degrees in dietetics and must be registered,” she said. “They know what food is right for people who have renal insufficiency or failure.

“Following a diet is an important part of patient care both before and after starting dialysis or after transplantation.”