HLTH 640 Principles of Nutrition

This course reviews the basic principles of nutrition, the metabolism of proteins, fats, macro and micro nutrients and the role food choices play in health promotion and disease prevention.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


This course investigates foundational concepts in nutrition by providing a basis for subsequent nutrition classes in the MPH Program. The MPH graduate needs to understand the role of both food in culture as well as food metabolism within the body and how to alleviate diet-related health problems among diverse populations. This information will provide a solid base for those entering careers in federal and private food assistance programs and nutrition advocacy organizations. Biblical teaching regarding body and health stewardship is emphasized.


Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Reflection Paper Assignments (2)

The student will write 2 reflection papers in this course that relate to their personal nutritional beliefs as well as cultural views on nutritional beliefs. Each reflection paper should follow current AMA formatting guidelines. (CLO: A & E) 

Reflection Paper: Personal Assignment

The student will write a 2-page reflection paper identifying the cultural, environmental, and social elements that have influenced his/her eating habits. The student will also identify emotions or relationships that may have contributed to the formation of their current eating habits. The student will discuss how their past may influence how they perceive the public they will be working with. The student must utilize 3 references (2 must be scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles) cited in current AMA format. The student may utilize a course textbook as their remaining reference requirement.

Reflection Paper: Cultural Assignment

The student will write a 2-3-page reflection paper on the cultural view of food. The student must read and utilize the provided Bible passages and at least 1 provided journal article to discuss the topic of nutrition from their culture’s view and explain their culture’s overall view on food. The student will also discuss how their chosen journal article may influence someone with a Christian worldview of nutrition. Sources used must be cited in current AMA format. 

Personal Diet Analysis Assignments (4)

The student will log his/her food intake for 5-7 days and generate a report using MyDietAnalysis. This data will be the foundation for these assignments. The student will complete 4 Personal Diet Analysis Assignments where he/she will analyze his/her carbohydrate, fat and protein, vitamin, and mineral intake. The reports will be generated in MyDietAnalysis based on the My Food List report. The student will then analyze the adequacy, deficiencies, and health benefits of his/her actual food intake in comparison to the recommended intake and discuss the likelihood and ease of making the suggested changes based on their results. The student must utilize 2 references (1 of the course textbooks and an additional scholarly journal article) cited in current AMA format in their analysis. The student must complete the provided template for each Personal Diet Analysis Assignment. The assignments must contain 1 1/2 pages of double-spaced responses in addition to the completed chart. The student must submit the “Actual Intake vs. Recommended Intake Report” and the “My Food List Report” to receive full credit. (CLO: A, B, C, & D)

Safe Diets for a Healthy Metabolism Assignment

This assignment requires the student to review a series of diets, interview someone about his/her current weight loss program, research said program, and provide analysis of it and its safety. The student must utilize the provided template and questions to complete this assignment. After completing the provided template, the student will use the provided headings to discuss the perceived barriers, whether or not the client has chosen a healthy approach to weight loss, and the role a public health nutritionist plays in the lives of people similar to the interviewee. The student must utilize at least 2 credible resources cited in current AMA format (the course textbook may be used as a resource). The assignment must be between 400-500 words. (CLO: B, C, & D)

Interview and Intervention Assignment

This assignment requires the student to identify and interview a person with no health issues about healthy diets and evaluate the subject’s knowledge regarding what makes for a healthy diet. The student will then utilize this information to create an intervention strategy. The student must utilize the provided Interview and Intervention Template. After completing the template, the student will provide their analysis, utilizing the provided headings, to discuss how knowledgeable the subject was, how well the information shared was received, and how well the subject is fueling their body. The student must utilize at least 2 credible sources (course textbooks may be used) cited in current AMA format. The assignment must be between 400-500 words. (CLO: B, C, & D)

Quizzes (4)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the specific Modules: Weeks. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 100 multiple-choice and true/false questions, allow for 1 attempt, and have a time limit of 2 hours. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, & F)


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