Nutrition across the life course

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the relationship between senescence, function, immunity and nutritional status and discuss the extent to which nutrition is involved in the aetiology, preventions and management of age-related diseases.
• Understand and debate the key issues regarding the prevalence of malnutrition and frequently encountered nutritional deficiencies in different populations, including children and hospitalised adults.
• Describe the role of optimal nutritional status in successful conception, pregnancy, lactation, childhood growth and ageing including the roles for specific micronutrients and trace elements.
• Describe the physiological processes of lactation and senescence and their hormonal and nutritional regulation.
• Undertake and cite further reading and research to support the formulation of written arguments and oral debate.
• Discuss the role of the nutrition professional across a range of life course setting.

As with other modules in this programme, this module gathers a range of internal and external speakers to provide specific insights into the role and application of nutrition in across the life course. The module is divided into two main sections, broadly covering nutrition in early life and nutrition in ageing. Your knowledge and appraisal of evidence is assessed by completing an in-class case study workshop and presentation and evidence-based essays (summative assignment). Your application of knowledge is developed using formative activities within the taught part of the modules, but also through undertaking a summative coursework assignment. 

Indicative content includes some or all of the following topics: 

Nutrition in early life 

• Pre-conceptual nutrition and nutritional infertility.
• Physiology and metabolic demands of pregnancy and lactation: body composition, weight gain, energy costs of pregnancy and lactation, specific at risk nutrients, dietary and supplemental management.
• Implications and management of maternal obesity.
• Feeding the infant: human and substitute milks; complementary feeding.
• Childhood: nutritional needs for normal growth and development; anthropometric assessment; the healthy diet; development of healthy eating habits, management of fussy eating. 

Nutrition and ageing

• Biology of human senescence.
• Nutrition and the ageing immune system.
• Dietary strategies for longevity and reduced risk of age-related diseases.
• Nutritional influences on the ageing skeleton.
• Diet and osteoarthritis.
• Nutritional intake and status of the elderly in the community, care homes and hospitals.
• Nutritional prevention of dementia: what is the evidence and how should it be applied?
• Nutrition, ageing and functional decline through sarcopenia - effects of protein and exercise.

Learning and teaching methods include:

• Class discussions: There will be ample opportunities for facilitated and non-facilitated discussion with peers and staff within and between sessions. This is vital to your understanding and sharing of experience and perspectives.
• Case reports/data collation and interpretation: You will work through a case study in small groups during the module, including accessing and applying Public Health data to apply what you have learnt about and to consider the wider factors influencing health and diet.
• Explanation of how to assess the nutritional status of the elderly.
• Student small group presentations: To present your group work to the rest of the class.
• Module-themed lunch to reinforce learning of key concepts and nutrients/foods that are important across the life-course.

Coursework: a range of subject areas will be assessed, demonstrating learning outcomes across the module. The coursework questions cover a variety of approaches to test skills and knowledge and to allow you to develop in areas including essay writing, data analysis, written communication skills, and practical application of knowledge.

The formative assessment for this module consists of the following activities, which provide you with the opportunity to assess and consolidate your knowledge and develop your skills:

• Working lunch where you are encouraged and facilitated to discuss contentious topics in relation to life course nutrition, e.g. nutrition and fertility, diet for longevity.
• Case study workshop in class - an opportunity for you to work in small groups to research an 'at risk' population group, collate relevant data and devise and present a practical intervention strategy.
• Optional in-class and at-home activities, such as plotting and interpreting growth data and debating supplement requirements

This module provides feedback in real-time for all in-class activities. You will also be encouraged to provide feedback to your peers for the case study session. Detailed written feedback will be provided for the summative assignment, focused on what was done well and areas for improvement to allow you to apply this to your future assignments in other modules. The Module Organiser is available for further discussion both during and after the Module.

Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMSM041