NS 5510

Nutrition Assessment

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2024-2025.

This course provides students with an in-depth overview of current practices in assessment of human nutritional status across the lifespan for the clinic and research. The content is divided into four modules, biomarker, anthropometric and body composition, dietary, and clinical assessment. Students will be introduced to the different assessment methods, practice the evaluation and interpretation of assessment data, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the methods. The format includes pre-class preparation, in-class mini-lectures, and in-class small-group application of information in case studies, research study design, and evaluation of scientific papers. Using simulated clinical and research cases, students will demonstrate competency in the evaluation of nutrition assessment methods, interpretation of results, and conduct of specific nutrition assessment methods, including the nutrition-focused physical examination.

When Offered Spring.

Permission Note Enrollment limited to: undergraduate seniors and graduate students.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: Undergraduate students: NS 1150 or NS 1220, and at least one of the following introductory statistics courses or their equivalents: STSCI 2150, PUBPOL 2100, AEM 2100, BTRY 3010, ILRST 2100, MATH 1710, PSYCH 2500, SOC 3010, or AP Statistics exam (score of 4 or 5). Graduate students: Introductory Nutrition course from another University or NS 6310 and NS 6320 (concurrent enrollment permitted) and introductory statistics.

• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the nutritional assessment tools used in current practice, including the reliability, validity, feasibility, psychosocial impact (where applicable), and appropriateness for clinical and research settings.
• Select appropriate tools for biomarker, anthropometric, body composition, dietary and clinical assessment of nutritional status across the lifespan in simulated clinical and research scenarios.
• Conduct a nutrition focused physical examination.
• Communicate nutrition assessment information and results in written and verbal forms.
• Critically read and interpret nutrition assessment methods and results sections of scientific literature.

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