Nutritional Policy

Code:

CN41002

Acronym:

POLNUT

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Social Science

Instance: 2013/2014 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://www.fcna.up.pt/pn
Course/CS Responsible:	Nutrition Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CNUP	94	Plano oficial	4	-	4,5	49	121,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Besides nutritional issues, the supply and demand of food is based on different constraints, which condition the market, such as production of food and agricultural policies, distribution, marketing and price strategies. The core of this course unit is to provide understanding on the impact of these factors and transform them into opportunities to enhance the nutritional status of populations. This unit course intends that students acquire leadership and management skills enabling them to develop and implement a set of collaborative and cross-actions. The objective is to ensure and encourage the availability and access to certain type of food in order to improve the nutritional status and the health promotion of population.

Learning outcomes and competences

The unit course of Nutritional Policy should give to the students basic skills in several areas:

- Collection and systemization of information in order to provide a diagnosis of the food/nutrition situation and health of the population and at the same time of the various systems that can influence food consumer behaviour, namely the production system, distribution and regulation.

- Analysis of the political system and the political constraints that influence decision-making on nutrition and food policies, locally and globally.

- Formulation of integrated and sustainable strategies, which integrate the various areas and actors of the food system to influence food behaviour, promoting the multistakeholder partnerships and resource allocation.

- Formulation of integrated and sustainable strategies incorporating social, demographic and economic characteristics of the population able to modify eating behaviour.

- Formulation of integrated and sustainable strategies, involving dimensions such as equity, citizenship, welfare, sustainable development, food waste reduction, the reducing of disparities and social cohesion.

- Development and implementation of mechanisms for management, monitoring and evaluation of the nutrition policies impact.

- Integration of ethical issues in food and nutrition policies formulation.

Working method

Presencial

Program

- Definition of basic concepts in nutritional policy.

- Critical analysis of the theoretical foundations of political theory related with the nutritional policies.

- Analysis of nutrition policies in the European and Non-European context.

- Planning and implementation of information systems that support decision making on nutrition policies.

- Development of intersectoral nutrition policies, taking into account the agricultural, environmental, social, economic, health and related policies.

- Planning, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation of nutrition policies at regional, national and international level.

- Understanding ethical principles in nutrition policy.

Mandatory literature

Isabel Ribeiro; Pedro Graça; José Lima Santos; Isabel do Carmo; O futuro da alimentação, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 2012. ISBN: 978-972-31-1486-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

Four working themes will be provided for students, to work in groups during practical classes. The aim is to collect and analysis existing documentation on the issues proposed. Students will have to do an oral presentation and a written work in a paper format. All works will be discussed in final debate.

Theme 1 - Evaluation and monitoring of food policies - the Portuguese case.

Theme 2 - Community intervention in vulnerable populations on the food issue - Challenges and opportunities.

Theme 3 - The right to adequate food in the nutrition policies context.

Theme 4 - Food Banks - What benefits and what is the role of a Nutritionist?

Throughout the semester will be indicated an obligatory book. The book will be subject of discussion during the classroom and will appear as an assessment on the final exam.

Software

End Note

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Nutritional sciences
Social sciences > Political sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	40,00
Participação presencial	0,00
Trabalho escrito	60,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

The frequency of the theoretical-practical classes is mandatory (according to general University academic rule), as well as the delivery and the positive evaluation of the two work-groups.

Calculation formula of final grade

Continuing assessment (60 %) 1 - Workgroup paper and presentation (40 %) 2 - Workgroup presentation (20%). Final assessment (40 %) (minimum score of 9,5) - Questions about theoretical programme.

Continuous assessment may incorporate fieldwork, participation in conferences and other activities agreed with the students. 

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students in special conditions are evaluated only by a final assessment (100%). The students should inform the teacher at the beginning of the semester, through a written document.

Classification improvement

See general Faculty academic rules.

Observations

Compulsory Language of Teaching: Portuguese. Teaching materials can be provided in English.