Fueling a Passion: Dietician Uses His Own Journey to Help Older Adults

Anthony Crespo struggled with childhood obesity and watched his mother gain and lose the same 100 pounds through yo-yo dieting. He decided he wanted to make a difference by educating people about nutrition and healthy eating. 

Anthony, a full-time clinical dietician who joined Masonic Village's Lafayette Hill and Warminster locations in January, works primarily with residents in the health care areas, providing nutritional counseling sessions, conducting screenings for malnutrition and weight loss and making sure residents are getting adequate food and fluids to maintain or improve their quality of life.  

"The educational aspect [of my job] is what I love most," he said. "I like to empower people to make good decisions with food. I am the bridge between health care and food services. I advise on menus, reviewing them for nutritional information and serving sizes. I make sure certain menu items are always available for people with preferences. I see everyone in health care four to five times a year, including an annual assessment to make sure there are no new issues and if there are, how to resolve them." 

Once a month, Anthony delivers presentations to residents in the retirement living area in Lafayette Hill on embracing mindful eating and achieving a balanced, sustainable approach to nutrition. On May 27, he will give another presentation about the importance of hydration and getting enough fluids during the summer months. 

"Protein, fiber and fluids are the most important things for the senior population," he said. "Trying to maintain muscle mass so you can live a better life is key." 

Before coming to Masonic Village, Anthony worked at Caring Heart, a rehabilitation facility in Germantown specializing in skilled nursing and long-term care. He still works part-time for Cecelia Health, a virtual specialty clinic for people with chronic conditions. 

"I've been working a long time with seniors, so this position [at Masonic Village] sounded great," he said. "It's a five-star facility with a clear emphasis on patient care. It makes me proud to work here. I love helping people and being in a healthy work environment in which you are supported." 

Anthony has a bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics from Penn State University. He earned his master's degree in sports nutrition and performance training from Concordia University-Chicago. 

Anthony grew up in Northeast Philadelphia. As a clinical dietician, he works Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill, and Mondays and Thursdays at Masonic Village at Warminster. 

In his free time, Anthony enjoys distance running and testing his mental and physical abilities. He has a one-year-old daughter, Logan. 

Residents with questions about nutrition can contact Anthony at zzacrespo@masonicvillages.com.