This unit introduces students to nutrition, healthy eating practices and the economic and sociocultural reasons behind people's food choices. It explores the main nutrient groups, and how diet and nutrition have a critical role in the promotion of healthy living and the prevention of chronic lifestyle-related diseases. Students investigate nutritional practices and how they affect growth, development and activity levels. While the unit looks broadly at global nutritional trends, it also emphasises current and emerging trends across Australia. The unit takes a sociological approach to understanding some of the cultural and social factors that impact people's food choices, including fad diets, body image, stereotypes and the media.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Selected readings will be made available via the unit VU Collaborate site.
This unit is not compulsory for any specific course. Depending on the course you study, this unit may be taken as an elective.