Nutrition & Health

This course explores the vital role of nutrition in promoting health, preventing disease, and enhancing well-being across the human lifespan. The course covers the fundamentals of nutrient requirements, digestion, absorption, metabolism, and the physiological impact of nutrients on the body. Students will study the relationship between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The course emphasizes the application of dietary guidelines, nutrition assessments, and the role of nutrition in public health initiatives to improve population health outcomes.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understanding Nutritional Requirements for Health: Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the essential nutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water—and their roles in maintaining health and preventing nutrient-related diseases.
• Exploring the Link Between Diet and Chronic Diseases: Learn how dietary choices impact the development and management of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer, and how nutrition plays a key role in disease prevention and management.
• Applying Dietary Guidelines for Health Promotion: Gain proficiency in using dietary guidelines to assess and improve nutritional intake, design balanced meal plans, and promote healthy eating habits in diverse populations.
• Evaluating Nutrition’s Role in Public Health: Develop skills in evaluating and applying nutrition-based strategies in public health interventions, focusing on addressing nutrition-related health disparities and improving population-wide health outcomes.

These outcomes aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills to apply nutrition science in promoting health and preventing disease. The course prepares students for careers in nutrition, dietetics, public health, and healthcare, where they can contribute to improving the well-being of individuals and communities through informed dietary choices and health interventions.