module specification

This module focuses on the critical evaluation of dietary assessment methodologies and their use for individuals and specified population groups. There is also a critical evaluation of DRVs (dietary recommended values), food composition databases and laboratory analysis of nutrient intake. The module also involves the critical appraisal of nutrition epidemiological studies and how to interpret and evaluate the evidence for diet-disease relationships, particularly for chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer to inform public health policy.

Dietary assessment methods – 7- day weighed intake, 24-hour recalls, food frequency questionnaires, biomarkers, novel methods. Choosing appropriate dietary assessment tools (LO1). Food composition databases, effect of soil, climate, cooking and storage on nutrient content of foods (LO2).  Laboratory chemical analysis of diet and calculating energy and nutrient intake using dietary analysis software (LO2). The concepts, uses and critical evaluation of dietary recommendations and reference values (LO1, 2).
Epidemiological research design – ecological, cross-sectional, case-control, cohort and intervention study designs (LO3). Appraise and interpret epidemiological data in terms of error, bias, confounding and the Bradford-Hill guidelines (LO4).
Examining the relative contribution of nutrition, genes, socio-economic and cultural and religious factors in the aetiology of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity (LO5). Examining the effects of pre-conceptual nutrition and nutrition in pregnancy on adult disease (LO4, LO5).
Introduction to the strategies for improving nutrition-related diseases and modification of dietary intake, role of professionals in healthcare, population dietary guidelines for chronic disease prevention (LO6).

The module will be delivered through a combination of keynote lectures to underpin the theoretical aspects of study designs, the critical evaluation of nutrition epidemiological studies in the diet-disease relationship and how they inform public health policy. Students will also be expected to collect, perform chemical analysis and interpret dietary intake data at a population level using appropriate statistical techniques.  Students will be instructed in the use of dietary analysis software (Nutritics) and statistical analysis software (SPSS).

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. critically evaluate dietary assessment methodologies
2. demonstrate skill in nutrient analyses of dietary intake
3. critically evaluate methodologies used in nutritional epidemiology
4. interpret and evaluate epidemiological data in relation to nutrition and health
5. demonstrate an ability to integrate the underlying nutritional principles with the aetiology of disease of importance to public health nutrition
6. critically evaluate public health strategies to reduce the incidence of nutritionally-related diseases

In order to pass the module it is necessary to pass the coursework component and the written examination. This module will be assessed by means of one and a half hour unseen time-constrained examination, consisting of essay style questions, at the end of the module (50%).
The coursework component (50%) will comprise of one major piece of coursework which will consist of a laboratory report on a collection of dietary data by students and an evaluation of the methodologies and including statistical analysis and interpretation  (approx 2,000 words).

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/54EBE3E9-7009-C566-0CEB-FD0C77595B72.html?lang=en