HUNT241 Fundamentals of Nutrients and Health

Overview

Study of the biological basis of nutrition and the mechanisms by which diet can influence health. Includes a solid understanding of macro- and micronutrients with a specific emphasis on requirements for human health.

It is essential to understand the biological basis of nutrition if you want to understand how diet influences health. This paper investigates the nutrients involved in the key metabolic processes in the human body – and explores their central role in human health.

About this paper

Prerequisite

BIOC 192 and CHEM 191 and ((HUBS 191 and HUBS 192) or (HUBS 192 and PTWY 131) or (ANAT 101 and PHSL 101))

Pre or Corequisite

HUNT 141

Restriction

BIOC 230, HUNT 221

Schedule C

Science

Contact

human-nutrition@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Professor Anne-Louise Heath

Paper Structure

This paper consists of two blocks:

1. The first block of lectures extends students’ understanding of the basic concepts of metabolism, particularly energy and protein metabolism, and the impact of fed, fasted, and disease states on the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins
2. The second block of lectures extends students’ understanding of vitamins and minerals, with a particular emphasis on the biochemistry and physiology of key nutrients in the diets of New Zealanders, as well as their food sources, and roles in human health and disease

Teaching Arrangements

Two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour practical session per week.

Textbooks

Recommended textbooks:

• Campbell MK, Farrell SO, McDougal OM. Biochemistry (9th edition). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2018.
• Whitney E, Rolfes SR, Crowe T, Walsh A. Understanding Nutrition. 5th Australian and New Zealand edition. Melbourne: Cengage Learning Australia, 2022.
• Mann J, Truswell S, Hodson L. Essentials of Human Nutrition. 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2023.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of HUNT 241 students will be able to:

• Describe the metabolism of the macronutrients and key vitamins and minerals, including the mechanisms by which pathways are controlled
• Propose likely impacts of a change in nutritional status on the metabolism of a range of macronutrients and micronutrients
• Discuss the impact of disruptions of nutrient metabolism on human health
• Carry out common and currently used laboratory techniques for measuring nutrients, metabolites and enzyme activity in blood and urine samples
• Analyse and interpret group data
• Demonstrate effective written communication skills
• Describe the key phases of an observational nutrition research study
• Work more effectively in a group setting
• Introduce themselves briefly in te reo Māori, and greet someone in a Pacific language of their choice
• List culturally important food sources of nutrients for Māori and Pacific peoples

Overview

Study of the biological basis of nutrition and the mechanisms by which diet can influence health. Includes a solid understanding of macro- and micronutrients with a specific emphasis on requirements for human health.

Understanding the biological basis of nutrition is essential for grasping the implications of diet and it's influences on health. This paper investigates the nutrients involved in the key metabolic processes in the human body and explores their central role in human health.

About this paper

Prerequisite

BIOC 192 and CHEM 191 and ((HUBS 191 and HUBS 192) or (HUBS 192 and PTWY 131) or (ANAT 101 and PHSL 101))

Pre or Corequisite

HUNT 141

Restriction

BIOC 230, HUNT 221

Schedule C

Science

Contact

human-nutrition@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Professor Anne-Louise Heath

Paper Structure

This paper consists of 2 blocks:

1. The first block of lectures extends students’ understanding of the basic concepts of metabolism, particularly energy and protein metabolism, and the impact of fed, fasted and disease states on the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
2. The second block of lectures extends students’ understanding of vitamins and minerals, with a particular emphasis on the biochemistry and physiology of key nutrients in the diets of New Zealanders, as well as their food sources, and roles in human health and disease.

Teaching Arrangements

Two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour practical session per week.

Textbooks

Recommended textbooks:

• Campbell, M. K., Farrell, S. O., & McDougal, O. M. (2018). Biochemistry (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Whitney, E., Rolfes, S. R., Crowe, T., & Walsh, A. (2022). Understanding Nutrition (5th ed. AU/NZ). Cengage Learning Australia.
• Mann, J., Truswell, S., & Hodson, L. (2023). Essentials of Human Nutrition (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of HUNT 241 students will be able to:

• Describe the metabolism of the macronutrients and key vitamins and minerals, including the mechanisms by which pathways are controlled.
• Propose likely impacts of a change in nutritional status on the metabolism of a range of macronutrients and micronutrients.
• Discuss the impact of disruptions of nutrient metabolism on human health.
• Carry out common and currently used laboratory techniques for measuring nutrients, metabolites and enzyme activity in blood and urine samples.
• Analyse and interpret group data.
• Demonstrate effective written communication skills.
• Describe the key phases of an observational nutrition research study.
• Work more effectively in a group setting.
• Introduce themselves briefly in te reo Māori and greet someone in a Pacific language of their choice.
• List culturally important food sources of nutrients for Māori and Pacific peoples.