HNE-26306 Research Methodology for Nutrition and Health II

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

HNE-25806 Research Methodology for Nutrition and Health I.

Contents:

Note: this course is being redesigned for the 2014/2015 academic year, please check the courseguide (available mid Januari 2015 through link above) for details.

The courses Research Methodology I and II (HNE-25806 and HNE-26306) are closely linked, and together will discuss all methodological aspects of doing Nutrition Research. This course (HNE-26306) focusses on skills that are important for applying frequently used research methods in nutrition research, and its translation into guidelines/recommendations.
Students:
- will be acquainted with methods that are used to determine food consumption, energy expenditure and physical activity;
- are familiarized with and will perform biochemical, functional, and physiological parameters in nutrition research;
- are trained to possess the skills that are needed to conduct research involving food consumption measurement, energy expenditure measurements and physical activity measurements, and to draw conclusions from it.
Contents that will be discussed during this course include: food consumption, energy expenditure and physical activity, biochemical, functional, physiological markers, nutritional needs in specific population groups, the process of translating scientific finding in nutrition research to recommendations for the general population or health claims.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- understand the nutritional needs of specific population groups (infants, children, pregnant and lactating women, elderly);
- understand and explain the benefits and limitations of frequently used research methods to determine 1) food intake and consumption, 2) energy expenditure and physical activity;
- apply frequently used research methods to determine 1) food intake and consumption, 2) energy expenditure and physical activity;
- understand and explain frequently used methods to assess surrogate health endpoints like insulin resistance, glycemic control and vascular function;
- perform measurements of biochemical, functional, and physiological parameters in nutrition research;
- understand and appreciate the process how results of nutrition research are used to formulate recommendations or support claims.

Activities:

- besides lectures;
- students will participate in various practical's;
- tutorials;
- skills training and e-learning modules.

Examination:

- written test with 10 open essay-type questions;
- participation mandatory activities.

Literature:

The course is supported by the Blackboard learning environment.