Module overview
This module develops your knowledge and understanding of the causal relationship between nutrition, activity and health and the need to consider nutritional related problems in the context of global strategic ambitions, including the Sustainable Development Goals.
Linked modules
This module is an optional module for MSc PH and MSc GH.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Identify, use and critically evaluate a range of nutrition-related health resources, including surveillance data.
- Discuss diet and physical activity in the context of nutrition-related health.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Explain how you would assess nutritional status at group, community and population level in terms of the dietary intake and pattern of food consumption; structure as size, shape and body composition; physical activity; and function.
- Explain social, behavioural, economic and other determinants of diet and physical activity and how these are related to the short and long terms outcomes on health, e.g., growth and development, bone health, reproductive health, NCDs, mental health.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The evidence-base to establish energy and nutrient recommendations and guidelines.
- How poor nutritional status, both underand over-nutrition, is a major determinant of the risk of non-communicable and communicable diseases.
Syllabus
- Basic concepts of nutrition
- Dietary reference values, dietary goals, recommendations and guidelines
- Assessment of nutritional status
- Determinants of diet/physical choice and effect on health
- Nutritional health and wellbeing of the nation including surveillance of short- and long-term outcomes.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching and learning strategies will include lectures, workshops and practice-based learning. The emphasis will be on student centred learning in which you will be supported by a wide range of resources. Staff, tutors and colleagues will support your professional learning.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 30 |
| Independent Study | 120 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Langley-Evans S. (2015). Nutrition, health and disease: A lifespan approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Lanham-New S, et al. (2020). Introduction to Human Nutrition. Wiley-Blackwell.
Buttriss J, Kearney JM, Lanham-New SA, Welch AA. (2007). Public Health Nutrition. John Wiley & Sons.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
There will be two components to the assessment i) a group presentation related to dietary recommendations and ii) an individual written assignment on nutrition and health. The pass mark for the module and both components is 50%. The written component must be passed to pass the module. If you do not achieve the pass mark on this module by achieving 50% or more in both components, you may still pass by compensation for the group presentation. To do this, you must achieve a qualifying mark of 40% in this component. The marks for each component are then combined, using the appropriate weighting, to give an overall mark for the module. If this overall mark is greater than or equal to 50% you will have passed the module. If your overall mark is less than 50% when the weighting has been applied to the components, you will have failed the module. If you have not achieved 40% or more on both components, you cannot use compensation and have failed the module.
If you have failed the module, you will have the opportunity to submit work for all components where you have not achieved the pass mark. Marks for components that were passed will be carried forward. You must achieve the pass mark in all referred components. On passing your referrals, your final module mark will be capped at 50%.
The requirement to pass the written summative assessment without compensation applies only to students enrolled on the Faculty of Medicine Public Health suite of programmes.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Individual written report | 70% |
| Group Oral Presentation | 30% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Individual written report | 70% |
| Group Oral Presentation | 30% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External