FB2PUB2-Public Health Nutrition

Module Provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: FB2NED Nutritional Epidemiology and Dietary Assessment
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Vimal Karani
Email: v.karani@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module focuses on the scientific background of Public Health Nutrition, in particular associations between diet and disease, how public health interventions are developed and theories of behaviour change. It also looks at specific examples of Public Health Nutrition interventions.

Aims:

This module aims to investigate how diet as a modifiable risk factor can affect the risk for chronic diseases, and how this relationship can affect public health policy. Students will also learn the underlying principles of nutritional epidemiology and how it can provide evidence for Public Health Nutrition policy and campaign.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Discuss how sufficient evidence is developed in order to initiate a public health intervention with examples from current and potential future public health interventions.


• Interpret nutrition research  and describe it in a manner that is suitable for a lay audience


• Describe general public health concepts, behaviour change theory and techniques


• Explainhow public health guidance is developed and assessment, and be able to interpret literature on public health interventions


• Apply the Association for Nutrition (AfN) Standards of Ethics, Conduct and Performance

Additional outcomes:

Students will have an understanding of factors influencing the implementation of public health nutrition at a local and population level.

Outline content:

This course will deal with the critical appraisal of epidemiological and experimental data used in deriving population dietary recommendations aimed at reducing risk of chronic disease. It will in particular focus on how evidence is developed to initiate a public health intervention and how this intervention is then developed, delivered and evaluated.

Global context:

Nutrition is an important modifiable risk factor for many chronic diseases, and for this reason also important for public health. This module investigates how results from research can affect policy and improve public health. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This course comprises lectures and group presentations. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10	10
Seminars	5	5
Guided independent study:	35	35
Total hours by term	50	50	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Oral assessment and presentation	40
Practical skills assessment	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Critique and newspaper article (50%) submitted in the middle of term


• Public health campaign presentation (40%)


• Contribution to discussion board (10%)

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be given the opportunity in class to undertake example case studies in the same format as the written assignment.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment arrangements are in accordance with University policy. Failed coursework may be re-assessed by an alternative assignment before or during the August re-examination period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 15 February 2024