Program Overview

Unit Overview

The unit NUTR302 - Diet, Health and Disease explores the role of nutrition in the aetiology, prevention, and management of various diseases. Building on foundational knowledge, this unit delves into the relationships between diet and disease, examining the principal nutrition-related factors and mechanisms associated with major non-communicable diseases.

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

Nutrition plays a crucial role in the development and management of diseases, making it essential for professionals to understand this relationship. This unit aims to support students in developing fundamental knowledge and a contemporary understanding of diet and disease relationships, translating this into evidence-based dietary interventions and communications.

Campus Offerings

The unit is offered at the following campuses:

• Blacktown
• Melbourne
• North Sydney

Prerequisites

To enroll in this unit, students must have completed:

• BIOL234 Nutritional Physiology
• NUTR202 Lifespan Nutrition

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this unit, students will be able to:

1. Articulate the evidence-based relationships between food and nutrition-related factors and the mechanisms and progression, protection/prevention, and management of specific diseases in humans.
2. Integrate knowledge of food and nutrition-related factors related to health and disease and communicate to a scientific and non-scientific audience.
3. Appraise the scientific literature for specific conditions and propose a suitable dietary intervention.
4. Appraise and apply appropriate methods used for assessing nutritional status and collecting dietary data in practice and nutrition research.

Content

Topics covered include:

• The immune system, inflammatory response, and development of chronic disease
• Obesity, including regulation of energy balance, health consequences, and best practice dietary interventions
• Metabolic syndrome and its definition, health consequences, and best practice dietary interventions
• Cardiovascular disease, including atheroma pathophysiology, lipoprotein metabolism, and dietary management
• Type 2 diabetes and the role of diet and physiological mechanisms in its pathogenesis and treatment
• Cancer and dietary components as indicators, promoters, or protective agents
• Respiratory conditions
• Allergies and intolerances
• Gut microbiome and diet
• Other conditions throughout the life stages (e.g., cystic fibrosis, coeliac disease, PKU, arthritis, osteoporosis)
• Nutrigenomics, nutrient-gene interactions
• The role of nutrients in the brain and relationship to specific mental health pathologies
• Evidence-based best-practice dietary interventions
• Advanced theory and application of nutrition assessment, including dietary assessment and evaluation

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

The assessment strategy includes:

1. Factsheet (20%): Demonstrates the ability to apply and communicate evidence-based knowledge and understanding.
2. Written report (40%): Demonstrates understanding of nutrition science and translation to practice by interpreting evidence-based knowledge and producing a scientific-style report.
3. Examination (40%): Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of unit content.

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

The learning and teaching strategy comprises three phases designed to provide a developmental learning experience. Approaches include active learning, case-based learning, individual and group activities, cooperative learning, online learning, and reflective/critical thinking activities.

Representative Texts and References

• Byrd-Bredbenner, C. (2012) Wardlaw's Perspectives in Nutrition, 9th Edition, McGraw Hill, Boston.
• Mahan, K.L., Raymond, J.L., Escott-Stump S. (2011) Krause's Food & the Nutrition Care Process (13th Ed.), Elsevier - Health Sciences Division, Philadelphia.
• Mann, J. and Truswell, A.S. (2012) Essentials of Human Nutrition, 4th edition, Oxford, New York.
• Whitney, E.N., Crowe, T., S., Cameron-Smith, D., Walsh, A., and Rady Rolfes, S. (2014) Understanding Nutrition, Australian and New Zealand Edition (2nd Ed.), South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning Australia.

Locations and Credit Points

• Locations: Blacktown, Melbourne, North Sydney
• Credit points: 10

Year

2025