module specification

Students will learn the theory and application of public health nutrition and will understand the process of developing and evaluating health promotion programs and public health nutrition interventions. They will assess live government data on health and evaluate the priorities set in public health documents. Students must obtain at least 40% to pass this module.

NU5054 (Techniques in Nutritional Research

- Concepts of international and UK health promotion strategies LO3

- Principles of public health policies, needs assessments, planning, implementation and evaluation. LO1, LO2

- The interaction of diet, and other environmental factors (diversity, inequalities, socio-economic, genetic and political influences) on health and disease. LO3

- Methods of optimising nutritional status at a population level. LO2, LO3

- Identifying behaviours and lifestyle factors which impact health and disease. LO4

- Current policies for the provision of health education in the UK. LO2, LO3

- Joint strategic needs assessment of communities and populations. LO1

- Developing, implementing and evaluating public health nutrition interventions and policies. LO2

- Factors influencing public health policy and health policy overall including ethical and political concerns LO2, LO4

- The role of the nutrition workforce and the multidisciplinary team in public health nutrition LO1, LO4

- Current professional standards and code of conduct documents LO4

- Assess the determinants of (un)healthy behaviour LO2, LO3

- Review techniques to change health behaviours LO3

- Use of available data sources in the development and evaluation of health promotion and public health including and not exclusively epidemiological data, demography and results of nutrition surveys LO3

Student learning and understanding of the subject matter of this module will be developed through an integrated programme of interactive lectures (24 hours) and group tutorials (24 hours). 

Tutorials, group work in lectures, and directed learning within scheduled teaching time provide an opportunity for students to learn alongside and from other students.

Independent study forms the remainder of the module.  Students will be required to spend up to 102 hours in self-directed study and preparation. This independent study includes directed learning, which is encouraged by the regular class discussions.

Students will be instructed in the appropriate use of learning resources and assisted with suitable directed reading material (20 hours).

A mix of RLOs, powerpoints; podcasts/videos and an on on-line assessments, in-class discussions and formative coursework enhance the student learning experience.

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Explain the key elements of public health policy in relation to nutrition.
2. Discuss needs assessment of communities and populations within public health in relation to planning, implementation and evaluation of nutrition interventions.
3. Discuss health promotion strategies designed to promote behaviour change in varying educational, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
4. Understand the professional requirements of registered nutrition professionals in health education and health promotion.

In order to pass the module, students are required to obtain a minimum aggregate mark of 40%. The module will be summatively assessed by means of an on-line test (30 minutes) and a report (2000 words). The on-line test will assess the students’ knowledge of the theory of public health nutrition, including the social determinants of health, the public health framework and the use of data in formulating public health strategy, policy and interventions. This will assess learning outcomes 1 and 2.

Report (2000 words) will be a critical discussion and evaluation of a joint strategic needs assessment (JNSA). Students will be required to discuss the information required to formulate a JNSA and the process required. In addition, they will have opportunity to evaluate an example JNSA and critically discuss the needs of the population it refers to.  This will assess learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Where possible, the most current version of reading materials is used during the delivery of this module.  Comprehensive reading lists are provided to students in their handbooks.  Reading Lists will be updated annually.

Textbooks:

• Core Text: Butriss, Welch, Kearney and Lanham-New (2018) Public Health Nutrition. The Nutrition Society.
• Gibney et al (2004) Public Health Nutrition Imprint Oxford, UK; Ames, Iowa: Blackwell Science.

• Other Texts: Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA), Report on health and social subjects No.41,4648,49,50
• D’Souza et al. Food support programmes for low income and socially disadvantaged child-bearing women in developed countries. NICE. 2006
• Germov J and Williams L (2004) A sociology of food and nutrition: the social appetite.  South Melbourne, Vic.; New York: Oxford University Press
• Margetts, B. and Nelson, M. (1997). Design Concepts in Nutritional Epidemiology, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
• Willett, W. (2012). Nutritional Epidemiology, 3rd ed.  Oxford University Press, Oxford.
• WILSON, F. and MABHALA, M., (2009). Key concepts in public health. London: Sage Publications Ltd.

Journals: Public Health Nutrition

Websites: Public Health England

Electronic Databases: www.phoutcomes.info/

Social Media Sources: https://twitter.com/LondonMetUni

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