Nutrition for Health: Evidence-Based Tools and Strategies

Module 1: The Science of nutrition

Nutrition is a key determinant of health. Understand the journey of food through the digestive system and how food quality impacts health outcomes.

• Identify diet-related chronic health diseases using global public health data.
• Evaluate the role different organs play in nutrient absorption along the digestive tract.
• Examine the role of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics within the gut microbiome.
• Evaluate the impact of ultra-processed foods on health and analyse their nutritional profile.

Module 2: Diet and nutrition: beyond macros and micros

Health and well-being are determined by a complex array of factors. Explore the synergies of whole foods through macro- and micronutrients, and learn how evidence-based dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean and DASH diets, positively influence metabolism and long-term health.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of a food fortification intervention in improving public health nutrition.
• Critique and analyse the role of fats, proteins and carbohydrates found in common food items.
• Categorise and analyse evidence-based dietary patterns to guide sustainable health choices.
• Examine the factors that impact basal metabolic rate, and understand its implications for individual energy requirements.

Module 3: Putting evidence into action

Nutrition plays a critical role throughout life, contributing to overall health and longevity. Distinguish between healthspan and lifespan, and learn to differentiate between opinion and evidence.

• Analyse lifestyle and nutritional factors to increase the health span.
• Apply the ABCDE framework to assess nutritional health.
  Differentiate between reliable evidence and opinion by using the evidence pyramid

Module 4: Health-washing and policy trends

Health claims and diet fads have a significant impact on consumer food choices. Gain evidence-based approaches to nutrition and health by critically examining food labels and different policy levers that promote healthier food environments, facilitating more nutritious choices.

• Analyse front-of-pack and back-of-pack food labels to distinguish marketing claims from nutritional information.
• Evaluate and discuss a current public health initiative promoting nutrition in your country.

Module 5: Life course nutrition

Nutritional needs vary for everyone and require consideration of a range of factors, including life stage, pre-existing behaviours, personal needs and lifestyle. Learn how nutritional needs evolve from conception to old age, with insights into gut health and targeted interventions for each life stage. 

• Examine the role of nutrition during the first 1,000 days, in adolescence and throughout the mid-life stages.
• Create a healthy meal plan to nourish and improve your gut health.
• Design a life stage-specific shopping list to guide healthy food choices.

Module 6: Nutrition strategies for the future

Knowledge and strategy can help make personalised and sustainable healthier choices. Identify the role of various health markers. Learn how to use their measures to make informed dietary choices. Discover the role of gut microbiome and its importance on brain and hormonal health, and how it is interconnected with the environment

• Learn about strategies to normalise and manage blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, and manage inflammation that can affect heart and metabolic health.
• Build a planet-friendly, nutritious meal inspired by the Mediterranean style diet.
• Identify and analyse a key social determinant of health to improve public health outcomes.