Nutrition and Mental Health

Subject Overview

This subject examines nutrition, diet and food, drawing on different health and science disciplines to provide a basis for understanding nutrition in the context of a range of mental health conditions including anxiety, disorders of mood, and disorders of eating and feeding.  Increasing evidence has emerged suggesting a link between dietary habits and mental health treatment and recovery outcomes. Students will discuss the many factors that impact on healthy food choices for people experiencing mental health conditions and how foods can be utilised to enhance mental health and wellbeing.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamentals of macro and micronutrients.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of mechanics of human brain physiology and the nervous system.
3. Examine the relationship between nutrition and mental health.
4. Understand the complexity of the role of nutrition in major psychiatric and neurological mental health conditions.

Assessments

• Assessment 1: Quizzes (20%)
• Assessment 2: Open book exam (30%)
• Assessment 3: Nutritional factsheet and written reflection (50%)