Global Perspectives in Nutrition
Description
Accurate understanding of the causes, prevalence and severity of nutritional problems is essential to designing effective programmes for the alleviation of malnutrition and its associated adverse effects on health and developmental outcomes. This module relates to specific issues affecting populations in developing and transitional countries. The module focuses largely on the causes and effects of undernutrition on maternal and child health, including the inter-relationships with infectious disease. It also briefly addresses the growing issues surrounding having both under- and over-nutrition in the same country, as is increasingly common in transitional economies.
This module will provide students with an understanding of the global importance of nutrition, the main determinants of malnutrition, methods of nutritional assessment, and approaches to nutritional intervention in both developmental and emergency contexts. It will cover global nutrition epidemiology and policy, as well as focusing on more practical field issues, such as conducting surveys and running treatment programmes for severe acute malnutrition.
Students will work in small teams during lectures and coursework assignments and will develop their knowledge and understanding by working through practical examples of nutritional issues.
Learning Outcomes
Describe and critically analyse current patterns and trends in nutritional problems in low, middle and high income contexts.
Appraise the impact of diet on both communicable and non-communicable diseases using epidemiological data and population based approaches.
Evaluate the key features of the governance, organisation and delivery of public health and nutrition services in low, middle and high income countries.
Discuss and design innovative solutions to overcome the impact of climate change, globalisation and other social, political, economic and environmental factors on the global food system.
Summarise and debate the evidence base for the current interventions implemented in low, middle and high income countries.
Critically discuss the ideas and concepts underpinning the importance of the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods in Public Health Nutrition in a local and global context.