The largest nutrition and health conference in Iowa will be held this week to cover the latest news in health and nutrition just in time for Thanksgiving.

Dietitians from all over the state of Iowa are attending the annual Iowa Dietetic Association conference Tuesday and Wednesday in the Scheman Building.

“The conference theme, “Planting seeds of knowledge, Harvesting Opportunities for Success,” will attract more than 250 of Iowa’s registered dietitians to gather the most up-to-date knowledge from national and local experts,” said Heidi Petersen, oncology nutrition specialist at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

A number of speakers will be at the conference to talk about subjects ranging from antioxidants to weight management.

“The topics being presented range from leadership skills, connection of protein and calcium to weight management, update on soy, media and marketing training, community-supported agriculture, perspectives of an Iowa dietitian back from serving in Iraq, among others,” Peterson said.

Faculty and staff from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences are attending the conference to learn more about the latest information, said Ruth Litchfield, assistant professor of food science and human nutrition.

About 220 people from the college visited the conference Tuesday, and the same number is expected to visit Wednesday, Litchfield said.

The conference, which is sponsored by the Midwest Dairy Association, Anderson Erickson and Loffredo Fresh Produce, will also serve as a fund-raiser for the college, Peterson said, although that is not the main purpose of the event.

“The primary purpose is to continue with updated information and education for registered dietitians,” Litchfield said.

More than 800 members of the Iowa Dietetic Association are in the American Dietetic Association, which is the largest organization of food and nutrition professionals in the nation, Peterson said.

A silent auction will be held on Wednesday to raise money for the two organizations.

“The silent auction is a fund-raiser where 75 percent stays within Iowa for state scholarships and programs,” Peterson said.

“Twenty-five percent goes to the American Dietetic Association for national scholarships and programs.”

The conference will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Wednesday in the Scheman Building.