NUT3005 - Nutrition assessment - 2017

Monitoring and evaluation are essential components of determining nutritional status both at the individual and population level. Therefore the interpretation of information from dietary, laboratory, anthropometric and clinical studies is central to the work of nutrition science students. In this unit, students will examine the methodological applications and limitations surrounding dietary assessment, body composition and biochemical tests. Students will be enabled to critically employ research skills when analysing nutrition related data by identifying appropriate methods, in terms of precision, validity and reproducibility for assessing dietary intake, body composition and nutritional status using biochemical tests. Students will be exposed to a number of anthropometric and dietary intake methods, as well as nutrition screening tools routinely used in both the clinical and research settings.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Evaluate techniques used to assess food consumption at national, household and individual levels.
2. Utilise a variety of nutritional assessment methods (anthropometry, biochemistry and diet) to determine precision, reproducibility and validity.
3. Evaluate nutritional status by interpreting relevant biochemical and pathology tests.
4. Critically appraise the techniques used to estimate nutritional requirements of population subgroups.
5. Utilise nutrition screening tools to determine nutritional status of population subgroups.
6. Employ effective qualitative and quantitative research skills in analysing nutrition-related data.

• Report 1: Nutritional assessment (3,000 word equivalent, 50%); (hurdle)
• Report 2: Body composition & anthropometric measures (2,000 word equivalent, 30%);
• Mid-semester exam (1.5 hrs, 20%);
• Nutritional Assessment Reflection (Formative);
• Lab test summary (Formative)

On-campus: 6 hours per week of interactive lectures and workshops + 6 hours self-directed learning and completion of assessment tasks.

See also Unit timetable information

Assoc Prof Maxine Bonham

Nutrition and dietetics

Must have passed all of NUT2001, NUT2102 and NUT2103; or Must have passed all of HSC1101, HSC1102 and NUT1011.

Must be enrolled in Bachelor of Nutrition Science or Bachelor of Health Science.