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2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

FOOD5426M Obesity and Personalised Nutrition in the 21st Century

10 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Bernadette Moore
Email: J.B.Moore@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

In the past few decades the prevalence of obesity has skyrocketed world wide. Alongside this, advances in genomics have begun to explain how genetic variation determines body weight and how we interact with food and metabolize nutrients. This module will discuss the concept of ‘Personalised Nutrition’, which aims to integrate genetics/genomics knowledge with traditional nutritional management approaches to both: explain why some people are more susceptible to disease, and to better prevent chronic disease.

Objectives

The module aims to:
Develop knowledge and understanding of the concept of personalised nutrition, including the role of diet-gene interactions on nutritional health outcomes
Provide insight into the complex aetiology of obesity and understanding of the influence of obesity on health and disease risk
Develop understanding of the role of nutrient-gene interactions in determining health and disease

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the module, students should be able to:
1. Explain the role of genetics and epigenetics on an individual's response to food and nutrients and susceptibility to diet-related disease
2. Discuss the etiology of obesity and explain its influence on susceptibility to chronic disease
3. Apply the concept of personalised nutrition to the evaluation of case studies; identifying diet-related conditions in individuals and formulating personalised recommendations for health improvement
4. Critically appraise and interpret current scientific literature related to obesity and personalised nutrition

Skills outcomes

Intellectual/cognitive:
- Evaluate research findings and scientific literature and find, evaluate and critically assess appropriate sources of material.
- Demonstrate an understanding of research design and planning and the limits of scientific findings.
Professional practical skills:
- Interpret qualitative and quantitative data.
- Learn independently.
- Take responsibility for planning and organisation of work both on their own and in a team.
Key / transferable skills
- Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and visual means.
- Work effectively and independently on a given project or task.
- Work effectively in small groups and teams towards a common goal/outcome.
- - Use information technology e.g. WWW, virtual learning resources, word processing and presentation software


Syllabus

Introduction to ‘-omics’ in Nutrition
How to critically review scientific literature
Personalised nutrition in the 21st Century: nutrigenetics & nutrigenomics
Epigenetics
Gene:nutrient interactions: Iron
Obesity
Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Clinical nutrition in practice
Ethics, values and professional codes of conduct (AfN)
Physical activity & dietary interactions
Tutorial for case studies

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Tutorials12.002.00
Group learning32.006.00
Lecture102.0020.00
Private study hours72.00
Total Contact hours28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

Revision of lectures and exam preparation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Through the 3 ‘journal club’ style in-class discussions of scientific literature
Through the VLE with notes posted on the module page, or via emails to the whole student cohort
During the tutorial session for the case studies for examination

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Group DiscussionMandatory but non-assessed journal club discussions0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)0.00

There will be a mandatory but not assessed 3 ‘journal club’ discussion.


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment2 hr 120 mins100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)100.00

Questions about a case study (1 of 3 provided) will be assessed under exam conditions. The resit exam will be on a different (1 of 3 provided) case study.

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 07/02/2023

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