Module Details

Module Code: n/a
Full Title: Assessment of Nutritional Status
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 5
Module Owner:: Bruna PucciMcKenna
Departments: Life and Health Sciences
Module Description: This module is designed to give students exposure to the practical methods of dietary and nutritional status assessment. Many of these techniques are used in clinical nutrition, nutrition research, surveys, and individual and population monitoring. By the end of this module students will be able to critically evaluate the use and appropriateness of assessment methods in a variety of settings.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Review, collect, and monitor dietary habits in different population groups and settings.
MLO2 Identify and quantify reference values for nutritional intake for different population groups.
MLO3 Measure and assess the nutritional profile of an individual using anthropometry measures and compare procedures in different population groups.
MLO4 Measure and assess physical activity level and sedentary behaviour in diverse groups.
MLO5 Perform analytical procedures and dietary analysis, collate data, interpret results, and write scientific reports for nutritional profile and physical activity.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Dietary Reference Values (DRV's)
Overview, evolution, critique, nutritional requirements for different populations (children, adults, athletes, and older adults), dietary guidelines.
Assessment of dietary habits
Introduction, influences, methods, and different issues such as, mode of administration, food description and classification, quantification, specific requirements for population groups - Practical 1
Nutritional Assessment
Anthropometry adults and children, biochemical, clinical, physical, and dietary evaluation. Application, advantages, and disadvantages of different methods, such as, BIA and callipers. Recording data - Practical 2
Assessment of Physical Activity
Overview, definitions, validity and reliability, methods to assess PA (Physical Activity) and sedentary behaviour in different population groups.
Food composition and portion sizes
Uses of food composition data, food and component description, sources of data and data quality, limitations of food composition data and their use. Menu planning, portion sizes and food costing. Evaluating the effect of modifying the diet to meet the metabolic demands in different population. Consideration of the social, ethnic and economic factors which influence food choice and their effect on menu planning
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Portfolio % of Total Mark 60
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Nutritional Plan for an individual -
Analysis of the two components of Class practical 1 and Class practical 2 using a software and nutritional plan put in place for the individual.
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Class practical 1 - Report of a 7-day dietary habits, food portions and physical activity.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Class practical 2 - Report of body composition measures and calculations for an individual
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Tutorial Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Total Weekly Learner Workload 8.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
This module has no Part-time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Judith L. Buttriss,Ailsa A. Welch,John M. Kearney,Susan A. Lanham-New. (2017), Public Health Nutrition, John Wiley & Sons, p.48, [ISBN: 9781118660973].
  • Noel Cameron,Barry Bogin. (2012), Human Growth and Development, Academic Press, p.625, [ISBN: 978-0-12-383882-7].
  • (2012), Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition, Academic Press, p.640, [ISBN: 978-0-12-384885-7].
  • Stanley J. Ulijaszek, C. G. Nicholas Mascie-Taylor,. Anthropometry The Individual and the Population, [ISBN: 9780511600500].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Abreu, B., Henriques, R., Figueiredo, J. P., & Loureiro, H.. (2022), Body Composition Assessment of University Athletes: Comparison Between the Data Obtained by Bioelectrical Impedance and by Anthropometry.
  • Gomes, Thayse Natacha, Gomes T.N.; Thuany, Mabliny ; Reyes, Ana Carolina ; Chaves, Raquel; Souza, Michele; Pereira, Sara. (2021), Anthropometric indicators and health status-A relationship from infancy to adulthood.
  • Ankita Bhattacharya, Baidyanath Pal, Shankarashis Mukherjee & Subrata Kumar Roy. (2019), Assessment of nutritional status using anthropometric variables by multivariate analysis, BMC Public Health.
  • Steven B. Heymsfield, Brianna Bourgeois, Bennett K. Ng, Markus J. Sommer, Xin Li & John A. Shepherd. (2018), Digital anthropometry: a critical review, Nature.
Other Resources