Overview

This unit introduces the field of food and nutrition where students will gain an understanding of nutrient food sources and their role in health; and dietary recommendations. The determinants of food choices will also be examined along with a consideration of the methodologies used to collect dietary data. Students will apply this knowledge to assess nutrient and food intake at the personal level in relation to Australian dietary recommendations.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Winter
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
23-June-2025
03-August-2025
Last self-enrolment date
23-June-2025
Census date
04-July-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
18-July-2025
Results released date
19-August-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Explain the role that nutrients and food play in the general health of Australians
  • Explain the food and nutrient recommendations for the general health of Australians
  • Describe the general nutrient content of foods common in the Australian food supply and related food labelling laws
  • Apply the principles of good nutrition and knowledge of the Australian food supply to guide food choices for general health
  • Discuss the factors that impact on food choices and dietary behaviour
  • Apply skills in dietary assessment and simple anthropometric measures used in general health assessments

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week Venue Type and Activity Detail
Online Lecture 12 12 weeks 1 Asynchronous pre-recorded
On-campus Class 22 11 weeks 2 Tutorial
Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning 24 12 weeks 2 Various online learning activities
Specified Activities Various 56 12 weeks 4.67 Recommended reading, assignment activities
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 36 12 weeks 3 Independent study, revision
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.67  

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Online Quizzes Individual  30%  1,2,3,4,5
Assignment Individual  45%  1,2,3,4,5,6
Take home assessment Individual  25%  1,2,3,4,5,6

Content

  • Overview of macronutrients and micronutrients in food and their general functions in the body
  • Australian Dietary Guidelines and Nutrient Reference Values.
  • Determinants of food choices and dietary behaviours
  • Food labelling laws in Australia and their application to practice
  • Australia’s food supply and food intake of Australians as measured by national dietary surveys
  • Dietary and anthropometric assessments
  • GA 5- Information literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.