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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Assessment of Nutritional Status
Reference PL2035 Version 2
Created April 2023 SCQF Level SCQF 8
Approved June 2022 SCQF Points 15
Amended June 2023 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
To promote an understanding of the principles, uses and limitations of methods assessing body composition, dietary intake and nutritional status in individuals, groups and populations.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Explain the use, interpretation and limitations of methods used to determine energy expenditure.
2 Explain the use, interpretation, and limitations of anthropometric and laboratory methods to determine body composition.
3 Describe the methods used to estimate dietary intake and their relative strengths and weaknesses.
4 Describe the various biochemical and clinical techniques available to assess nutritional status.

Indicative Module Content
Methods for measuring energy expenditure, including direct and indirect calorimetry, and non-calorimetric methods. Methods for measuring body composition, including densitometry, total body water, total body potassium, DEXA, scanning techniques, bedside methods, including anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Factors influencing body composition, including age, sex, starvation and disease. Methods of measuring food consumption and nutrient intake, and their applications in research: domestic food production, food balance data, household food purchases, food diaries, food frequency questionnaires, 24 hour recall, duplicate diet analysis, dietary history and food composition tables. Static and functional biochemical tests for assessing nutritional status; recovery and concentration biomarkers; blood, urine, hair, nails and adipose tissue; sample collection, transport and storage. Relative validity, sensitivity and specificity, Bland-Altman plots.

Module Delivery
Theoretical material is delivered by lectures/tutorials, supported by web based materials, with practical classes used for development of skills in assessing nutritional status and anthropometry.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 30 N/A
Non-Contact Hours 120 N/A
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 N/A
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4
Description: Portfolio

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
Component 1 (CW1) comprises 100% of the module grade. A minimum of Module Grade D is required to pass the module. Non-submission will result in an NS grade.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None, in addition to SCQF level 8 entry requirements or equivalent
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 BUTTRISS, J.L. et al., eds., 2018. Public health nutrition. 2nd ed. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.
2 GIBSON, R.S., 2005. Principles of nutritional assessment. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
3 LANHAM-NEW, S.A. et al., 2020. Introduction to human nutrition. 3rd ed. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.
4 LOVEGROVE, J.A. et al., eds., 2015. Nutrition research methodologies. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.
5 MRC Epidemiology Unit, 2019. Diet, anthropometry and physical activity (DAPA) measurement toolkit. Available from: https://dapa-toolkit.mrc.ac.uk/
6 WILLETT, W., 2013. Nutritional epidemiology. 3rd ed. Oxford University Press.

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781