Diet and Physical Activity in Prevention and Treatment of Disease

The focus is on under and malnutrition and non-communicable diseases in children and adults and the effects of diet/nutrient intake and physical activity on these, both in relation to prevention and treatment.

Main topics are: under and malnutrition; inflammation; immunology; osteoporosis; cancer; obesity; metabolic syndrome; type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The main objective of the course is to give the student an understanding of the relation between diet, nutrition and physical activity and non-communicable diseases in adulthood.

Knowledge:

• Describe the pathogenesis of the most common non-communicable diseases (i.e the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, cardio vascular diseases, osteoporosis and cancer).
• Describe the effects of lifestyle (diet/nutrients and physical activity) on prevention and treatment of these non-communicable diseases (including risk factors for these diseases).
• Describe the effects of dietary strategies for treatment of under and malnutrition.

Skills:

• Discuss and reflect on the effect of lifestyle (diet/nutrients and physical activity) on the prevention and treatment of the most common non-communicable diseases (e.g. obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation).
• Explain and discuss the mechanisms behind the influence of lifestyle (diet/nutrients and physical activity) on non-communicable diseases on a systemic as well as, organ, tissue and cellular level.
• Explain and discuss the mechanisms behind the influence of lifestyle (diet/nutrients) on under and malnutrition on a systemic as well as, organ, tissue and cellular level.

Competences:

• Evaluate different risk factors for non-communicable diseases.
• Critically assess the effect of lifestyle on risk factors and development of non-communicable diseases.
• Recommend relevant lifestyle changes for prevention and treatment based on the evolution of the risk factors.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of diet and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of related non-communicable diseases in relation to the pathogenesis of these on a scientific level.
• Communicate effectiveness of diet and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of related non-communicable diseases in relation to the pathogenesis of these on a non-scientific level.
• Evaluate lifestyle strategies in the prevention and treatment of under and malnutrition.

Will be announced at Absalon.

Oral feedback will be given collectively when reviewing exercises performed during lectures.

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Language

English

Course code

NNEK23005U

Credit

7,5 ECTS

Level

Full Degree Master

Duration

1 block

Placement

Block 3

Schedule

A

Course capacity

No restrictions.
The number of seats may be reduced in the late registration period

Study board

• Study Board of Food, Human Nutrition and Sports

Contracting department

• Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports

Contracting faculty

• Faculty of Science

Course Coordinators

• Henrik Friis   
• Christian Mølgaard