Nutrition and Health: Macronutrients and Overnutrition

Course Description

Welcome to "Nutrition and Health: Macronutrients and Overnutrition," an enlightening course that delves into the intricate relationship between food and our bodies. This course offers a comprehensive exploration of nutrition's impact on human health, with a particular focus on issues related to overnutrition.

You'll embark on a fascinating journey through the world of macronutrients - fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Gain in-depth knowledge about how these essential components are absorbed, stored, and metabolized for energy. Develop a nuanced understanding of how different types of macronutrients affect our health in various ways.

This course goes beyond just macronutrients. Explore crucial topics such as energy homeostasis, body weight regulation, and the pressing issue of obesity. Get introduced to cutting-edge nutritional research methodologies, equipping you with the tools to critically evaluate nutrition-related information.

What You'll Learn

• Introduction to the field of food and nutrition
• Composition of foods
• Basic chemistry of carbohydrates, fat, and protein
• How macronutrients are absorbed, stored, and metabolized
• How macronutrients may impact health
• Energy homeostasis and body weight regulation
• The science behind obesity
• Nutritional research methodologies
• Critical evaluation skills for nutrition and health information

Prerequisites

The course requires a basic understanding of biology. No advanced scientific knowledge is necessary, making it accessible to a wide range of learners.

Course Coverage

• Basic principles of nutritional science
• Carbohydrates: structure, function, and health effects
• Lipids: types, metabolism, and impact on cardiovascular health
• Proteins: dietary sources and specific health effects
• Energy homeostasis and energy balance
• Weight management and obesity
• Nutrition and sports (for verified learners)
• Various study designs used in nutrition research

Who This Course Is For

• Health care professionals looking to expand their nutrition knowledge
• Individuals working in the food industry with a non-nutrition background
• Anyone interested in developing a critical mindset about food, nutrition, and health
• Students considering a career in nutrition or related fields
• Health-conscious individuals wanting to make informed dietary choices

Real-World Applications

• Healthcare professionals can provide more informed nutritional advice to patients
• Food industry workers can make more health-conscious decisions in product development
• Individuals can make better-informed choices about their personal diets
• Students can use this as a stepping stone for further studies in nutrition or health sciences
• Anyone can become a more critical consumer of nutrition-related information in media

Syllabus

• Module 1: Basic Principles
• Module 2: Carbohydrates
• Module 3: Carbohydrates and Health (verified learner only)
• Module 4: Lipids
• Module 5: Lipids and Health (verified learner only)
• Module 6: Proteins and Health
• Module 7: Energy homeostasis and energy balance
• Module 8: Weight management
• Module 9: Nutrition and Sports (verified learner only)

This course is part of the Food, Nutrition and Health Professional Certificate Program from Wageningen University & Research, offering you the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of nutrition and its impact on health. Don't miss this chance to empower yourself with knowledge that can transform your approach to food and well-being!