Principles of Nutrition – HLTH 640

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

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.

Rationale

This course investigates foundational concepts in nutrition by providing a basis for subsequent nutrition classes in the MPH Program. MPH graduates need 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.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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 a 2-page reflection paper identifying the cultural, environmental, and social elements that have influenced his/her eating habits. The student will also write a 2-3-page reflection paper on the cultural view of food.

Personal Diet Analysis Assignments (4)

Students 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 Analyses Assignments where he/she will analyze his/her carbohydrate, fat, protein, vitamin, and mineral intake. The reports will be generated in MyDietAnalysis based on the My Food List report. The student will analyze the adequacy, deficiencies, and health benefits of his/her actual food intake in comparison to the recommended intake.

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.

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.

Quizzes (4)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for specific Modules: Weeks. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 100 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a time limit of 2 hours.