This unit will cover the aetiology and prevention of non-communicable diseases affecting the health of populations in developed nations. During this unit, students will have the opportunity to learn about human nutrition and its relationship to health and disease, particularly metabolic syndrome. The topics include, but are not limited to: obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and mental health. Students will be able to summarise the key issues and role of nutrition in the prevention of non-communicable diseases.

Unit details

Location:
Footscray Park
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
HHN2402

Prerequisites

HHN2001 - Family Health and Nutrition Through the Lifespan or

HBM2103 - Digestion, Nutrition and Metabolism

Contact us

Find a different unit

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Relate the risk factors, prevalence and consequences of chronic diseases to individuals and the wider community;  
  2. Interpret, translate and critically review diet, health and lifestyle factors that may assist in preventing chronic diseases; and  
  3. Interrogate selected nutritional problems from the perspective of both the individual and the wider community.  

Assessment

Assessment type Description Grade
Test 2 MCQ Tests (session 3, 30mins, 10%; session 11, 60mins, 20%) 30%
Case Study Case study on selected topic (1000 words) 35%
Presentation Group Presentation and defence of a scientific poster (10 minutes; 20%) with individual 300-word abstract (15%). 35%

Where to next?

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.

You can choose to study this unit as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to structure your course to include this unit.

Course Study as part of
Bachelor of Biomedicine Health and Nutrition - Discipline Minor
Bachelor of Fitness Health and Nutrition - Discipline Minor
Bachelor of Health Science Health and Nutrition - Discipline Minor
Bachelor of Outdoor Leadership Health and Nutrition - Discipline Minor
Bachelor of Psychological Studies Health and Nutrition - Discipline Minor
Bachelor of Sport Science Health and Nutrition - Discipline Minor
Bachelor of Sport Science (Human Movement)/Bachelor of Sport Management Health and Nutrition - Discipline Minor
Bachelor of Biomedicine Integrative Physiology - Discipline Minor

Study a single unit

This unit may be available as a single unit of study.

Find out more about how to apply for single units of study at VU.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.