Semester 2, 2023 Ipswich On-campus | |
Units : | 1 |
School or Department : | School of Health and Medical Sciences |
Grading basis : | Graded |
Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Overview
This course introduces nutrition and exercise and will enable students to apply foundational knowledge and skills to provide general advice on nutrition to groups and individuals to support general health, well-being, fitness and exercise performance. Students will explore a range of nutrition related issues and concerns so that they will develop a foundation level of knowledge and competence. Students will be required to recognise the limitations on the general advice that they might provide, and it will be emphasised that individuals should seek specialist nutritional advice from suitably qualified professionals in the diet and nutrition discipline area.
This course provides an understanding of the principles of nutrition applied to exercise and health of a range of population groups throughout the lifespan (including body composition of individuals). It will describe the roles of macro and micro-nutrients during exercise and outline the relationship of nutrition and exercise and its role in the prevention and treatment of chronic metabolic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The course will also provide students with the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills associated with various age groups and special populations with regards to nutrition and exercise.
Nutritional guidelines and any relevant exercise strategies for optimal health will be provided in relation to weight loss, eating disorders, and the requirements of special populations. The course will outline the special requirements of people engaged in various sports and physical activities and address a range of issues relevant to this group. The role of dietary supplements, sports drinks, vitamins and ergogenic aids as they relate to athletes and other groups will be outlined. A focus will be on outlining a healthy lifestyle where nutrition and exercise are important components.
This course contains a mandatory residential school for external students and mandatory practical classes for on-campus students. To pass this course, students must attend 80% of the residential school or practical classes. Student non-compliance with the attendance requirement will mean the student cannot pass the course.
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- Describe the basic functions of macronutrients and micronutrients, their common sources, and their role in energy balance and health across the lifespan.
- Describe and evaluate commonly used methods for measuring and analysing dietary intake.
- Describe a basic dietary analysis and discuss its implications for general health and well-being.
- Evaluate common methods for measuring and analysing body composition and predict body composition differences and changes in various groups across the lifespan and as a result of exercise.
- Recognise signs of inappropriate dietary behaviours and energy availability in relation to physical activity and exercise requirements, and refer onwards as appropriate.
- Describe the role of diet in the aetiology of chronic conditions and obesity and explain the metabolic and chronic health consequences of obesity.
- Describe the evidence for the efficacy of common nutritional supplements and ergogenic aids and demonstrate awareness of prescribed or illegal supplements.
- Identify and use current Australian guidelines to provide appropriate general advice on nutrition, including strategies to improve exercise performance and recovery, and body composition while integrating other study areas of exercise science with knowledge and skills related to nutrition and sport.
Topics
Description | Weighting(%) | |
---|---|---|
1. | Macronutrients. Micronutrients. | 15.00 |
2. | Energy balance. Dietary intake assessment methods. Energy expenditure. | 15.00 |
3. | Nutrition across the lifespan. Australian Dietary Guidelines. Guide to Healthy Eating. Nutrition and hydration for general health and well-being and for physically active individuals. | 40.00 |
4. | Exercise and Nutrition Issues: Weight management and body composition. Nutrition and chronic conditions and obesity. Inappropriate dietary behaviours and appropriate referral pathways. Nutritional supplements and ergogenic aids. | 30.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Quiz | No | 10 | 1,2 |
Report 1 | No | 30 | 1,8 |
Report 2 | No | 30 | 1,5,8 |
Time limited online examinatn | No | 30 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 |