HLTH 3019 Nutrition, Health and Disease

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 301457

Coordinator Sunil Panchal Opens in new window

Description In this unit you will explore the basic concepts of human nutrition in relation to various stages of the lifespan from infants to late adulthood. It also explores nutrition in relation to chronic health conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and eating disorders. You will learn about the development of the Australian Dietary Guidelines and Nutrient Reference Values. You will also learn to make informed decisions with regard to nutritionally critical moments of the life span, emerging nutrition opinions or contemporary uses of nutrition in physical activity, sports and chronic health conditions.

School Science

Discipline Nutrition and Dietetics

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) HLTH 2012 AND
BIOS 2021

Equivalent Subjects HLTH 2014 - Nutrition and Health 2 HLTH 2013 - Nutrition and Health 2

Assumed Knowledge

An understanding of human nutrition, food and the metabolism of micro- and macro-nutrients and computer literacy.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Explain the principles of epidemiology and health trends within Australia and worldwide
  2. Explain how the Australian Dietary Guidelines and Nutrient Reference Values are determined and used to assess nutritional adequacy at both an individual and population level
  3. Evaluate the impact of nutrition on health across the life span
  4. Synthesise scholarly evidence on topics related to nutrition and health
  5. Critically analyse the role of nutrition in relation to a range of chronic health conditions
  6. Critically analyse the role of nutrition in relation to physical activity, sports nutrition issues, diet choices such as veganism and vegetarianism, and controversial fad diets

Subject Content

1. Principles of nutritional epidemiology
2. Health trends in Australia and worldwide
3. Concept, formulation and uses of the Australian Dietary Guidelines, Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, and Nutrient Reference Values (NRV)
4. Methods for assessing body composition and diet.
5. Nutritional requirements and food habits throughout key stages of the lifespan.
6. Relationship between nutrition and chronic metabolic and related diseases.
7. Relationship between nutrition and physical activity and sports nutrition issues.
8. Controversial issues in nutrition such as fad diets, and emerging opinions and misinformation.

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Quiz 4 x 20 minutes 20 N Individual
Literature Review 1,200 words 35 N Individual
Critical Review 4,000 words 30 N Group
Presentation 5 minutes 15 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Bender, DA. Introduction to Nutrition and Metabolism, 5th ed. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Mann, J & Truswell, AS 2012, Essentials of human nutrition, 4th edn, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Teaching Periods

Spring

Hawkesbury

Day

Subject Contact Sunil Panchal Opens in new window

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Structures that include subject