Nutrition and chronic diseases

This unit draws its strength from Theme 2 – Nutrition and Health and integrates with Theme 3 – Nutrition Professional and Skills Development. This unit will explore the associations between nutrition and chronic diseases (communicable and non-communicable diseases) in an individual, community or population. In this unit, you will be exposed to the roles of macro- and micro-nutrients, nutraceuticals, foods, and dietary patterns in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of chronic diseases. You will study the epidemiology, aetiology and prevention of major nutrition-related diseases. The rationale for modifying and evaluating patients’ dietary intake according to specific disease states will be explored. This unit continues to emphasize on the role of genetic susceptibility in nutrition science. Interpretation of nutritional status assessment and its integration with scientific evidence will be also discussed.