Nutrition for Health and Sustainability

Course Description

"Nutrition for Health and Sustainability" is an innovative and comprehensive online course designed to bridge the gap between nutrition, health, and environmental sustainability. This 12-hour course, divided into three modules, is primarily targeted at medical students but is also valuable for healthcare professionals seeking to update their knowledge on current nutrition debates. The course aims to empower future and current medical doctors with essential nutrition knowledge and counseling skills, positioning them as agents of change in our society.

What Students Will Learn

• The composition of a healthy diet and its role in disease prevention
• The relationship between food and disease
• Nutrition counseling techniques
• Biological, social, and psychological causes of unhealthy eating patterns
• The importance of evidence-based nutrition for both human and planetary health
• Current health guidelines and their application to different population groups
• The role of food in treating and preventing diseases
• Causes of unsustainable food production and consumption patterns
• The impact of food on healthcare practices
• The interconnection between food, nutrition, diets, human health, and sustainability

Pre-requisites

This course is designed for medical students or individuals working in the healthcare sector. While no specific prerequisites are mentioned, a basic understanding of medical concepts and an interest in nutrition and sustainability would be beneficial.

Course Content

• Causes of unhealthy eating patterns (biological, social, psychological)
• Current health guidelines and their application
• Essential foods for health and wellbeing
• Food's role in disease treatment and prevention
• Unsustainable food production and consumption patterns
• Effects of food on the body, society, and the planet
• Food's impact on healthcare practices
• The relationship between food, nutrition, diets, human health, and sustainability
• Diagnosis, management, and treatment of non-communicable diseases

Who This Course Is For

• Medical students (undergraduate or higher)
• Healthcare professionals seeking to update their knowledge on nutrition
• Individuals interested in the intersection of nutrition, health, and sustainability

Real-World Application of Skills

• Medical professionals can incorporate nutrition counseling into their practice
• Healthcare providers can prescribe food as medicine, influencing patients' dietary choices
• Professionals can contribute to public health initiatives focusing on nutrition and sustainability
• Learners can make informed personal choices about diet and sustainability
• Participants can educate others about the link between nutrition, health, and environmental sustainability

Syllabus Overview

The course focuses on:

• The relationship between health, nutrition, and sustainability
• Potential causes of unhealthy eating patterns
• The importance of a sustainable diet
• Understanding the diagnosis, management, and treatment of non-communicable diseases

This course offers a unique opportunity to explore the critical intersection of nutrition, health, and sustainability, equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to make a significant impact in both personal and professional spheres.