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Principles and key concepts of behaviour theories and models of behaviour change and their application to individual eating behaviour (practices and skills).
Behaviour and behaviour change are highly complex processes; knowing what we should be eating does not mean that we always make the healthy choice. This paper focuses on why people make the decisions they do in health and nutrition and how we can change habits and behaviours. HUNT 341 provides you not only with an understanding of behaviour, but also opportunities to practice behaviour change techniques in a supported environment. You will leave the course ready to put your skills into practice to help people effectively meet their nutrition goals on an individual, group or population level.
| Paper title | Nutrition and Behaviour Change Communication |
|---|---|
| Paper code | HUNT341 |
| Subject | Human Nutrition |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,110.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- (HUNT 221, HUNT 222 and HUNT 223) or (Two of HUNT 241,HUNT 242, HUNT 243 or HUNT 245)
- Schedule C
- Science
- Notes
- Students in the Bachelor of Applied Sciences with a major in Sport and Exercise Nutrition may take this paper having passed HUNT221 and one of HUNT222 or HUNT223. To do this, apply for Special Permission at the Review and Submit stage of your application.
- Contact
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
Paper topics will include:
- Social and contextual factors in nutrition-specific behaviour (including weight stigma, socioeconomic status and racism)
- The links between nutrition and current topics of interest (e.g., mental health, environmental sustainability, eating disorders)
- Health at Every Size
- Evidence-based behaviour change techniques
- Conducting nutrition-specific behaviour change consultation (i.e., motivational interviewing)
- Research methods in behaviour change intervention development, including Kaupapa Māori and co-design approaches to nutrition-specific behaviour change
- Career options in nutrition and behaviour change
- Teaching Arrangements
This paper will be a combination of two 50-minute lectures per week in addition to weekly 2-hour small interactive groups/practical seminars. Lecture recordings will generally be available.
- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
Key research papers will be used to complement lecture material. These will be available through Blackboard.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
By the end of HUNT 341 students will be able to:
- Understand the evidence, main ideas, and themes in nutrition-specific behaviour change
- Demonstrate the communication skills required to facilitate individual-level nutrition-specific behaviour change
- Translate theory into practical strategies to influence nutrition-specific behaviour
- Produce well-written reflections of changing their own behaviour as well as a "client’s" behaviour
