2026/27 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FOOD3392 Personalised Nutrition, Professionalism and Ethics

20 Credits Class Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Katherine Markwell
Email: k.e.markwell@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2026/27

Module replaces

FOOD3391

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

The module aims to: (1) develop knowledge and understanding of the concept of personalised nutrition, including emerging and current treatment options on nutritional health outcomes, (2) provide insight into the complex aetiology and pathophysiology of obesity and its related chronic diseases and clinical aspects of conditions, (3) develop understanding and skills in dietary assessment, counselling and creating personalised recommendations for conditions within the scope of an associate nutritionist , (4) provide students with an understanding of professional conduct, scope of practice, fitness to practise and applying the Association of Nutrition’s standards of ethical conduct and performance for Associate Registered Nutritionists as applied to case studies and clients.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject: SSLO1: Explain factors that impact the aetiology and pathophysiology of chronic diseases including nutrients’ impacts on cellular mechanisms and genetics. SSLO2: Design and justify a diet to improve health that meets the specific needs of an individual, or group, considering factors such as age, sex, physical activity, lifestyle, religion, culture, socio-economic backgrounds. SSLO3: Apply the concept of personalised nutrition to the evaluation of case studies; identify diet-related conditions in individuals and formulating evidence-based personalised recommendations and incorporating relevant ethical and/or professional considerations.

Syllabus

Themes on personalised nutrition and professional nutrition practice to be covered may typically include the following: · Obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, steatotic liver disease: aetiology and pathophysiology; treatment and prevention · Genomics and nutrigenetics · Tailored nutrition using emerging approaches, e.g. measurement of the microbiome, genetics · Role of lifestyle & life stages, the environment and epigenetics on obesity and metabolic disease · Roles of epigenetics and the gut microbiome in healthy ageing · Clinical nutrition in practice & tutorials for case studies · Estimating nutritional requirements · Goal setting for nutritional practice · Behaviour change theories and other counselling strategies · Applying scope of practice, AfN Standards of Ethics, Conduct and Performance, including fitness to practice as a nutritionist · Application of knowledge of diets and dietary requirements to the management of specific nutrition related diseases that can be managed by Nutritionists registered with UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionist professionals (UKVRN). Transferrable skills for Nutritionists, e.g., leadership, communication and interpersonal skills (e.g., active listening, motivational interviewing).

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Practical 5 1 5
Seminar 2 3 6
Private study hours 189
Total Contact hours 11
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

189

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be given regularly during taught and seminar sessions in response to independent learning tasks and group tutorial tasks including practice case studies.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Coursework Oral Assessment / Group work 40
Coursework Coursework 60
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 30/04/2026

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team