Edelweiss Wentzel-Viljoen

Edelweiss Wentzel-Viljoen, PhD Dietetics, a national of South Africa, with experience in both rural and urban areas in South Africa and registered as a Dietitian and Nutritionist with the Health Professional Council of South Africa. She has extensive expertise in nutrition research, dietary methodology, food composition data, curriculum development, continuing professional development for health professionals, leadership development, project management (including the organization of international congresses), policy development and monitoring and evaluation. She is passionate about leadership development, development of young people and is part of the African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP) team and was involved in leadership development programmes in Zambia and Rwanda. She has published and presented research nationally and internationally.

Research focus includes dietary intake, nutrient and dietary patterns, nutrition transition, nutrient profiling, infant and young child nutrition, development of food-based dietary guidelines, advertising of foods and non-alcoholic drinks to children, nutrition-related policy development and salt reduction and hypertension.

Currently appointed as extraordinary professor of nutrition at the Centre of Excellence for Nutrition (CEN), North-West University, South Africa and freelance nutrition/dietetic consultant.