module specification

This module focuses on the critical evaluation of the methodologies used in the assessment of nutritional status of individuals, groups and populations.

This module focuses primarily on the assessment of nutritional status at the population level and to evaluate the methods available for assessing nutritional status of individuals, groups and populations. To critically evaluate the published data which is available for the assessment of nutritional status at population level and examine the derivation of reference values and the handling and analysis of large data sets. It will also evaluate the use of nutritional surveillance systems.

Indicators of nutritional status.. Includes anthropometry, biochemical measures, clinical information, dietary intake and social and environmental factors.
Evaluation, selection and use of dietary, anthropometric, biochemical and functional indicators of nutritional status as well as ecological data and vital statistics. Consideration of the methods for assessing nutritional status in population sub groups including: children, adults, the elderly, sports people.
Anthropometry, range of measures and methods used to assess body composition, reliability and validity of measurements taken and interpretation.
Examination of existing data of relevance to nutritional status including official statistics e.g. NHANES, specific survey data e.g. NDNS, HSE and other UK surveys.
Consideration of the derivation of reference data ie child growth data, BMI, waist circumference and other percentile charts. Use of a recognised reference range to statistically analyse and present data from a large scale survey such as the NDNS.
An examination of nutritional surveillance systems in both developed and developing countries.  Evaluation of the uses and limitations of these systems as a basis for improving nutritional status.
Principles of data management, statistical analysis and interpretation.
Using statistical software – SPSS.
Ethical implications of managing health data.

Bland M., (2015) An Introduction to Medical Statistics. 4thEd. Oxford: OUP [Core]
Gibney M, Margetts B, Kearney JM, Arab L (2004) Public Health Nutrition. Oxford. Blackwell Publishing.
Gibson R (2005) Principles of Nutritional Assessment, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press [Core]
Lanham-New S, Buttriss J, Welch A, Kearney J (2016) Public Health Nutrition 2nd ed. London, Wiley Blackwell.
Public Health England, National Diet and Nutrition Survey, results from years 1-4 combined of the rolling programme for 2008-12 (2014)https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey-results-from-years-1-to-4-combined-of-the-rolling-programme-for-2008-and-2009-to-2011-and-2012 (accessed 21.1.16)
SPSS Getting started with SPSS (2015) http://www.spss-tutorials.com/spss-what-is-it/
(accessed 21.1.16)
World Health Organization (1996) Jelliffe, DB The assessment of the nutritional status of the community.  Monograph no.3. WHO
World Health Organisation, Nutrition (2016) http://www.who.int/nutrition/en/ (accessed 21.1.16)

On completing this module students will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the use of indicators of nutritional status to assess nutritional problems in individuals, groups and populations.
2. Evaluate the derivation and use of anthropometric, biomechanical and nutrient reference ranges to classify and categorise abnormal nutritional status.
3. Identify and select the types of data which are relevant to the assessment of nutritional status at population, group and individual level and be able to make sound judgemental decisions on the appropriate use of recent relevant publications.
4. Analyse a large data set and critically evaluate associations of relevance to nutritional status.

To pass the module an aggregate mark of at least 50% must be obtained.
Assessment will comprise of one piece of coursework (3500 words), where students will appraise the relevant literature and present descriptive and analytical data from one large survey, such as the NDNS (data will be provided).
The scientific report will outline the nutritional problems being examined, discuss the survey and data collection, present the results of the analyses, and discuss the implications of the findings. (LO 1,2,3 and 4).

Dept Health (1995) National diet and nutrition survey: children aged 1½ to 4 ½ years, Vol.1: Report of the diet and nutrition survey / Janet R. Gregory [et al.], HMSO
Dept Health (1998) National diet and nutrition survey: people aged 65 years and over, Vol.1: Report of the diet and nutrition survey / Steven Finch [et al.], HMSO.
Dept Health (2000) National diet and nutrition survey: young people aged 4 to 18 years, Vol.1: Report of the diet and nutrition survey / Jan Gregory and Sarah Lowe, HMSO.
Dept Innovation Universities & skills (2007) Foresight Report Tackling Obesities, Future Choices. London HMSO
Gibson RS (2005)Principles of Nutritional Assessment, Oxford University Press (CORE)
World Health Organization (1996) Jelliffe, DB The assessment of the nutritional status of the community.  Monograph no. 53. WHO
World Health Organisation (2004) Global Database on National Nutrition Policies and Programmes,  WHO
World Health Organisation (2004)  Global Database on Obesity and Body Mass Index (BMI) in Adults,  WHO