International Nutrition (9278.1)

This unit will examine the major current nutritional challenges facing the global community. Topics will include the macro and micronutrient deficiencies in infants, adolescents and adults, such as protein-energy malnutrition, iron, zinc, vitamin A and iodine deficiencies; the nutritional consequences of HIV/AIDs; the impact of modernisation and urbanisation on the nutritional health of indigenous communities and countries in transition; the underlying causes of hunger in our world from social, political, economic and environmental perspectives; and short and long term nutritional issues associated with refugee populations. Finally, the approaches to the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, HIV/AIDs and diabetes and obesity in transition populations will also be explored.

This unit is co-taught with unit 8664 International Nutrition PG.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Describe the current international epidemiology and clinical features of the major macro and micro-nutrient deficiency diseases across the globe and the impact of these deficiencies on public health outcomes;
2. Discuss the major short and long term nutritional consequences facing refugee populations;
3. Evaluate the causes of the juxtaposition of malnutrition and obesity in indigenous and transition populations; and
4. Outline the current approaches being used to prevent and treat malnutrition, HIV/AIDs, diabetes and obesity in developing countries and those in transition.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas

Prerequisites

8257 Nutritional Science

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

Human physiology and human nutrition