2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
FOOD3381 Nutrition Policy and Public Health
20 creditsClass Size: 150
Module manager: Dr Sally Moore
Email: S.Moore2@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2023/24
Pre-requisite qualifications
Successfully completed level 2 of BSc Nutrition course or equivalent qualificationModule replaces
FOOD3380This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module explores several UK and Global Nutrition Policies which aim to reduce health inequalities and improve people’s food choices and diets as well as health. Examples include:• Healthy and Sustainable Diets• The UK Sugar tax• Front of Pack Nutrition Labelling• Fortification of food with folic acidThe roles of scientists, Government, Industry and health professionals will be discussed. There will be consideration of which policies are recognised as “successful” and how we know they are (i.e. policy evaluation and impact). With this in mind, scientific study design aspects, including those covered in earlier modules, will be drawn upon.Objectives
The module aims to:1) introduce students to the legislative and advisory bodies that inform, formulate and implement nutrition policy.
2) enable students to evaluate the scientific evidence that supports the policy-making process and discuss the impact of policies on populations and individuals.
3) promote students ability to effectively communicate health policy and health promotion messages to a relevant audience.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the module, students should be able to:
1) Outline examples of nutrition policy and how these are intended to reduce health inequalities
2) Demonstrate awareness of the role of scientists, industry, government, consumers and others in the development and success of policy;
3) Identity and review the scientific evidence supporting policy including a discussion of the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of different experimental approaches and the need for periodic review;
4) Communicate to key non-specialist audiences, including stakeholders without nutrition specialist backgrounds, complex concepts around nutrition science and research relating to policy development and evaluation.
5) Discuss the evaluation of and evidence concerning the impact of particular policies on the health and wellbeing of populations
Skills outcomes
Ability to:
Communicate complex scientific information to a lay-audience.
Develop skills in policy evaluation
Discuss and appraise the scientific evidence base which informs policy in Public Health nutrition;
Awareness of the core competencies for practice for the UK voluntary register of nutritionists.
Syllabus
Nutrition Policy is ever-evolving, with new policy being developed as new evidence emerges. Therefore, the syllabus will evolve accordingly and relevant policies will be discussed according to their timely relevance.
Content to include a selection of:
- Role of various bodies in national and international policy development (eg WHO, UNICEF, UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, UK Government Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Food Standards Agency, DEFRA, Academics and Medics etc).
- Review of the scientific evidence supporting current policies (e.g. Soft Drinks Industry Levy, School Meals, etc) and their impact on their target groups (eg children, adults etc) and others (e.g. schools, professionals, etc.).
- The different scientific approaches used in nutritional and public health research will be discussed in terms of their advantages, disadvantages and limitations.
- Methods of policy evaluation and their limitations which aim to show the impact of policy on specific outcomes of interest.
- The different scientific approaches used in nutritional research will be discussed in terms of their advantages, disadvantages and limitations.
- The impact of policy on wider aspects of society will also be discussed.
- Methods for dissemination and implementation of health messages (eg mass media, GP practices, schools etc) will be reviewed in relation to their effectiveness in translating policy into messages that can be unambiguously interpreted and understood by the general population.
- Food Labelling legislation will also be discussed in relation to its impact on population food choice.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 30 | 1.00 | 30.00 |
| Seminar | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Tutorial | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Private study hours | 168.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 32.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
- Directed reading for lectures, additional reading, and learning- associated “tasks” i.e padlet, group discussions etc. 90 hours-Preparation for assignments: 78 hrs
- Preparation for seminars: 20 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- Students will have opportunities to obtain formative feedback on tasks and individual contributions during the active-learning lecture and seminar sessions. Progress will be formally monitored through individual assignments (summative assessment).- General feedback on assignment performance will be posted on Minerva, while individual feedback will also be provided upon marking of the assignment via turnitin.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Assignment | Policy on a Page | 50.00 |
| Assignment | Review of scientific paper reporting policy evaluation | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 28/04/2023 14:55:42
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