NTN6300EN - Issues and Trends in Nutrition Behavior

Course description

Personal factors, cultural influences, and society impact nutrition behaviors and food-related ministries. Perspectives of supporters, skeptics, and major players in global nutrition provide insight into current issues and trends. Selected readings and videos give insight into the complex interactions of health, nutrition, culture, and politics.

How this course benefits students

Many factors influence nutrition behaviors, including the availability of food. Students investigate the past and present socio-political, cultural, economic influences upon nutrition behaviors, as well as individual factors. Students will be introduced to basic tools to assess nutrition, as well as motivational interviewing and other culturally relevant strategies to promote positive changes. Implications to food ministries are woven throughout, including biblical perspectives on nutrition and a Christian’s responsibility as a role model.

Why this course is important

Food is both necessary, and yet can be addictive. Lack of food resources, as well as an overabundance can drive behavior in ways that negatively impact health. This course is designed to help prepare the lay person interested in establishing a food-related ministry by understanding nutrition-related motivations and behaviors, as well as issues and trends.

Credit hours
3 hours
Subject area
Nutrition
Educational level
Master
Learning type
Instructional
Prerequisites
None
Upcoming terms
Pending
* Schedule subject to change. Please contact the Registrar's office with schedule questions.

How this course relates to missional core values

Biblically based

This course approaches the concepts of nutrition and behavior from a biblical perspective. Students will explore biblical perspectives on hunger and nutrition, and a Christian’s role in addressing these topics.

Missionally driven

Health and nutrition concepts are applied with a mission focus to holistically engage communities. Students will identify nutrition-related motivations and behaviors as opportunities for food ministry.

Contextually informed

Course content is contextually informed, specifically related to health and nutrition. The class will include current social, political, and economic considerations impacting food behaviors in communities, and society as a whole.

Interculturally focused

Case studies help students explore nutrition behaviors in various cultures. They will specifically look at nutrition beliefs and practices that drive the behaviors.

Practically minded

Course will provide practical considerations and strategies for addressing health and nutrition within communities as a concerned layperson, as well as globally through the church body.

Experientially transformed

Students reflect on personal nutrition behaviors, and compare them with others.