Module Details

Module Code: BIOL9014
Title: Advanced Dietary Assessment
Long Title: Advanced Dietary Assessment
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4211 - Biochemistry & Cell Biology
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: To provide a deep understanding into the principles and applications of dietary assessment methodologies from design through to interpretation of findings
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Critically assess current methodologies for self-reported dietary assessment
LO2 Critically appraise new methodologies in dietary assessment including technological advancements
LO3 Critically evaluate objective measures of dietary assessment including biomarkers for dietary intake
LO4 Critically appraise the strengths and limitations of different methodologies for specific research/clinical purposes
LO5 Produce scientific report and communicate the content through an oral presentation
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Dietary assessment methodologies
An insight into current methodologies used for dietary assessment including self-reported (food diaries, 24-hour recalls, Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs)), and objective measures (biomarkers- isotopes, metabolomics), estimation of intake of foods, energy, nutrients, non-nutrient components of foods
Data collection and analysis
An overview of the databases behind dietary intake software: Food composition databases (UK Composition of Foods Database (COFID), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food composition database, other), Food portion sizes, Nutritional/food supplements, Ingredients, Recipes of composite dishes, Fortified foods, Allergens, Brand databases, Awareness of ethical and legal considerations in dietary assessment
Dietary assessment software
An overview of dietary software tools available for dietary intake and modelling- Dietary analysis software (e.g. Nutritics Foodbook24, Intake 24, Myfood 24, ASA24, other), Dietary modelling (Dazult), Sustainability (Foodprint), Nutrient profiling
Data interpretation
Use of Dietary reference values (European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), UK Scientific Committee on Nutrition (SACN) US Institute of Medicine (IOM), other), statistical approaches to mitigate measurement errori, dentification of under-reporters, estimation of usual intakes, estimation of dietary inadequacy, dietary exposure (foods, nutrients, chemicals), use of machine learning for data analysis, meal patterns
Other technological advancements
An overview of other technological advancements in dietary assessment including digital photography for measuring food intake, chewing and swallowing sensors, bites as a unit of measurement
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 70
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
A written report on a specific dietary assessment need, focussing on proposed methodologies for data collection, analysis and interpretation, strengths, and limitations (~3,000 words)
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Oral presentation on summary of written report
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Online lectures Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Application of learning to case studies and project work Every Second Week 1.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review of lecture material and recommended external material Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 8.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Online lectures Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Application of learning to case studies and project work Every Second Week 1.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review of lecture material and recommended external material Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 8.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Dale A. Schoeller (Editor), M. Westerterp (Editor). (2017), Advances in the Assessment of Dietary Intake, 1. CRC Press, [ISBN: 978-103209652].
  • Editor(s):Julie A Lovegrove, Leanne Hodson, Sangita Sharma, Susan A Lanham-New. (2015), Nutrition Research Methodologies, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, [ISBN: 9781119180425].
  • FAO/UN. (2018), Dietary assessment: A resource guide to method selection and application in low resource settings, [ISBN: 9251306354].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Walton J. (2015), Dietary Assessment Methodology for Nutritional Assessment: A Practical Approach, Topics in Clinical Nutrition, 30 (1),
    https://doi.org/10.1097/TIN.000000000000 0018
  • Brennan L & Hu F. (2018), Metabolomics-Based Dietary Biomarkers in Nutritional Epidemiology—Current Status and Future Opportunities, Molecular Nutrition & Food Reserach,
    https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201701064
  • Dragsted, L.O., Gao, Q., Scalbert, A. et al.. (2018), alidation of biomarkers of food intake—critical assessment of candidate biomarkers., Genes Nutr, 13,
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12263-018-0603- 9
  • Boushey CJ, Spoden M, Zhu FM, Delp EJ, Kerr DA. (2017), New mobile methods for dietary assessment: review of image-assisted and image-based dietary assessment methods., Proceedings of the Nutrition Society,
    https://doi:10.1017/S0029665116002913
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SNUHA_9 Master of Science in Nutrition & Health Analytics 1 Mandatory