Know Your Diet Experts: BETTY L. KOVACS, MS, RD

Betty is a Registered Dietitian who earned her B.S. degree in Food and Nutrition from Marymount College of Fordham University and her M.S. degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. She is the Co-Director and Director of nutrition for the New York Obesity Research Center Weight Loss Program. She also works as a consultant and co-investigator for obesity related clinical trials at the research center. Her previous experience includes adjunct professor at Marymount College of Fordham University and Westchester Community College, staff nutritionist at the VanItallie Center for Weight Management, research nutritionist for the Diabetes Prevention Program, nutrition counselor for pre- and post-bariatric surgery patients at the Center for Weight Loss Surgery, and she helped develop the exam and coursework for the American Dietetic Association Weight Management Certification Program.

Betty was recognized as a leading Registered Dietitian in Manhattan in Quest Magazine’s Annual 2001 New York Resources issue. She has appeared on WNBC news, WABC Eye Witness News, New York 1 News, and News 12, and she has been interviewed by numerous magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s World, Glamour, Newsday, LA Times, Daily News, Newsday, Women’s Day and Travelers Magazine.

TRAINING

• Dietetic Internship: Food and Nutrition Program – Bronx Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY 8/96 – 8/97

CERTIFICATE

• Adult Weight Management- American Dietetic Association

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Quest Magazine – “Annual New York Resources Issue,” recognition as a leading RD in Manhattan for 2002
• Magna Cum Laude – Marymount College
• Westchester/Rockland Dietetic Association – Nutrition Graduate Most Likely to Succeed Award
• Alpha Beta Gamma National Honor Society – Westchester Community College

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• American Dietetic Association – Registration #838781
• New York State Dietetic Association
• North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO)
• Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group (WMDPG)
• Research Dietetic Practice Group (RDPG)
• Dietitians in Business and Communications (DBC) Dietetic Practice Group

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MASS MEDIA EXPERIENCE
Television and Video Interviews

1. SlimFast Foods – Continental Airlines VNR on effective use of meal replacements
2. Ananda Lewis Show – “Weight Management for the Holidays”, interview for the holiday show.
3. SlimFast Foods – Delta Airlines VNR on effective use of meal replacements
4. WNBC News “Dr. Max Gomez on Holiday Eating”, interview on eating during the holidays.
5. New York 1 News – Cable TV “Overeating Leads to Heart Attacks”, interview on overeating.
6. Knoll Pharmaceutical Co. “You Can Do It” doctor and patient education video, interview on weight loss.
7. Eyewitness News WABC “Dr. Jay on Body Lifts After Weight Loss”, interview on weight loss.
8. News 12: Westchester’s Local News, live in-studio interview on obesity epidemic and C.O.R.E.
9. C.O.R.E. National Press Conference B-Roll Newsfeed, on obesity epidemic for national release.

Magazine and Internet Interviews

1. Women’s Healthy – “Top Ten Facts for Lifelong Weight Loss” interview
2. Powerful Living – World talk radio interview on nutrition for weight loss
3. Woman’s World – 3-day food plan for celebrity weight loss article
4. Travelers Magazine – “Healthy Eating for Travelers” interview
5. LA Times – “Tools for Weight Loss” interview
6. Arthritis Today – “Holiday Survival Tips” interview.
7. Glamour Magazine – “Spring Makeovers” quote on weight loss tips.
8. Women’s Day Magazine – “Tips for Successful Weight Loss” interview.
9. DietWatch.com “My Doctor Doesn’t Understand Me”, news article quote on obesity epidemic.
10. Newsday “A Weighty Issue”, news article quote on obesity.
11. DietWatch.com “Maybe It’s What Eating You”, interview on weight loss.