70713 - Lifestyle and Principles of Dietetics

Learning outcomes

A healthy diet, physical activity and avoiding dangerous habits such as smoking are effective ways of increasing health and lifespan. Although a significant portion of the world’s population still suffers from malnutrition, especially children, the most common cause of death in the world today is non-communicable diseases. Overweight and obesity significantly increase the relative risk for the most relevant non communicable diseases: cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and some cancers. Childhood overweight also seems to increase the likelihood of disease in adulthood through epigenetic mechanisms.

The coursewill explore these issues with particular attention to the preventive role of proper nutrition.

At the end of the course the student is able to inform properly regarding correct nutrition explaining the key features of an healthy diet. In addition, the student will know the main problems related to eating disorders.

Course contents

3 lectures, 8 hours total.
Topics:

1) Healthy lifestyle. Obesity and childhood obesity.

2) Proper nutrition. Food groups: nutritional assessment of individual groups. Nutrition related pathologies.

3) Eating Disorders. Food Pyramid. Pyramid Mediterranean and other diets compared and their validity nutrition.

Readings/Bibliography

Handouts given in class.

For additional readings see the web site: http://nut.entecra.it/648/linee_guida.html

or the book: Principi di Nutrizione Editors: Biagi, Di Giulio, Fiorilli e Lorenzini. Giugno 2010, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Volume 1 della collana: Nutrizione per lo Sport.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

Assessment methods

Assessment will be carried out through the development of a small thesis and / or completion of a multiple choice questionnaire.

Teaching tools

PC and projector

Office hours

See the website of Antonello Lorenzini