module specification

This module integrates student’s prior knowledge of nutritional physiology and biochemistry, food science and nutritional assessment, to then apply this knowledge to develop a critical understudying of the major global nutritional issues, focusing primarily on undernutrition.  It addresses the role of various international agencies, agriculture, energy and micronutrient deficiencies, surveillance systems and emergency nutrition interventions. Food security and sustainability are key themes throughout the module. This module complements the focus of the course on public health and over nutrition and aims to complete the breadth of knowledge and skills of an associate registered nutritionist. This module will contribute to the pathway leading to employment in the international nutrition arena. It will develop skills in the identification of, and intervention in situations of food shortage and nutrient deficiencies as well as policy formulation and implementation.

NU5002 (Nutrition Science 1)

Major agencies with responsibility for global food and nutrition issues – WHO, FAO, UNU; the nutrition transition; global food problems, population growth and food demands; food security; Food Balance Sheets; agricultural and food production systems; global demand for protein; plant breeding and genetics for improved yields, pest resistance and nutrient content, eg Golden rice; food fortification; Sphere standards; food and nutrient supplementation programmes; aid agencies, including Oxfam, Save the Children Fund, UNICEF, Action Against Hunger; Red Cross; nutritional surveillance; nutrition in emergencies; working in unpredictable nutrition environments; nutrition & infection esp. diarrhoeal diseases; hydration and dehydration; assessment and classification of undernutrition in infants and children – stunting, wasting; micronutrient deficiency disorders  – vit. A, Fe and iodine; breastfeeding interventions; infant feeding programmes; maternal feeding programmes; nutrition planning; sustainability. LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Teaching and learning sessions include tutorials (12 h), lectures (24 h), and course work with feedback where appropriate. Lectures are used to set context and to deliver subject material, and are linked to course work and tutorials. Students will be expected to reflect on the learning experience and develop their own understanding of the material. Writing skills will be enhanced through the production of an infant anthropometry report. The ability to undertake scientific and ethical appraisal of data will be encouraged through directed reading and tutorial discussions. Students will be expected to reflect upon taught material in order to demonstrate their understanding of the aspects of global nutrition covered in this module.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Describe and explain current and future challenges affecting availability, access, utilisation and sustainability of global and national food supplies and nutrients.
2. Predict the impact of these challenges at international, national and local levels in terms of food security, equity, safety, health and sustainability.
3. Understand the response needed in emergency nutrition situations.
4. Employ anthropometric tools to assess infants suffering from nutritional stunting and wasting.

The module will be summatively assessed by an unseen examination of 1.5 hrs (50%) and a coursework component. This report is an evaluation of infant growth data and classification of wasting and stunting diseases (50% of overall mark). Criteria for assessment will include an understanding of the subject matter; an ability, to explain, describe and discuss the work; completeness and conciseness of written report with and emphasis upon critical ability, statistical skill and scientific rigour. To pass the module an aggregate mark of at least 40% must be obtained.

Component                                                          Marks  Learning outcomes
Country case study/infant anthropometry       50%  1,2,3,4
Exam (1.5 hours)                                                 50%  1,2,3,4

Textbooks: core

International Food Policy Research Institute. 2017. Global Nutrition Report 2017: Nourishing the SDGs. Bristol, UK: Development Initiatives.

International Food Policy Research Institute. 2016. Global Nutrition Report 2016: From Promise to Impact: Ending Malnutrition by 2030. Washington, DC.

Human Nutrition in the developing World: FAO Corporate Document Repository.
FAO eBooks collection http://www.fao.org/publications/e-book-collection/nutrition/en/

Other Texts:
Emergency Nutrition Assessment: Guidelines for Field Workers. Save the Children Fund UK, 2004.

Essential nutrition actions: improving maternal, newborn, infant and young child health
and nutrition. WHO, 2013.

Sundaram JK, Rawal V and Clark MT (2015) Ending Malnutrition: from commitment to action. FAO, Rome

Semba RD, Bloem MW, and Piot P (ed) (2008) Nutrition and Health in Developing Countries. Humana Press: New York. 2nd ed.

Dykes F, Moran VH. (2009) Infant and young child feeding: challenges to implementing a global strategy. Wiley Blackwell: Oxford.

Pinstrup-Andersen P & Cheng F (2009) Case Studies in Food Policy for Developing
Countries: Policies for Health, Nutrition, Food Consumption & Poverty.  Ithaca:
Cornell University Press. 

Shetty, P (2010) Nutrition, Immunity and Infection. CAB International: Wallingford

Journals: Brit J Nutr, Amer J Clin Nutr, Eur J Clin Nutr, J Nutr

Websites: http://www.who.int/en/
                 http://www.fao.org/home/en/
                 https://www.oxfam.org.uk/
                 https://www.unicef.org.uk/
                 https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/
                 https://www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk/
                 http://www.redcross.org.uk/
                 http://www.ennonline.net/
                 https://www.usaid.gov/
                 http://www1.wfp.org/
                 http://www.sphereproject.org/
Electronic Databases: FAO Food Balance Sheets, EpiInfo

Social Media Sources AfN, NutSoc Twitter accounts