Workforce issues facing allied health professionals will take centre stage at the Dietitians Association of Australia’s 29th national conference, later this month.

University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research Professor Sandra Capra will outline changes to the hospital and health workforce under current reforms, inspiring dietitians to be practice ready.

More than 500 dietitians, nutritionists, nutrition science researchers, health-care providers and industry leaders will meet in Adelaide for the May 26-28 conference.

Delegates will hear the latest research in nutrition and discuss key issues affecting the health of Australians.

The line-up of experts also includes British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Research Group’s Dr Mike Rayner, from the University of Oxford.

Dr Rayner will discuss his work researching food and health, including the impact of food marketing and labelling on diets and initiatives that could assist diets, such as ‘fat taxes’.

Department of Health and Ageing nutrition director Erica Nixon will outline the department’s Food and Health Dialogue, which is engaging the food industry and key experts to improve the nutrient profile of key foods and address issues such as portion size and consumer messaging.

DAA CEO Claire Hewat said the conference would explore the theme ‘evidence to practice – not always black and white’.

Ms Hewat said the conference would cover workforce and environmental changes, health economics, evaluating research and improving the nutritional profile of the Australian food supply.

"Several prominent speakers will share their expertise and enthusiasm to inspire delegates, which includes dietitians, nutritionists, and nutrition science researchers," she said.