Energy Balance and Body Composition

Code:

NC1102

Acronym:

BECCOR

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biological Sciences

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Clinical Nutrition

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
NC	25	Plano Oficial do ano letivo 2017	1	-	3	20	81
		Plano próprio_MNC_199401960	1	-	3	20	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This course focuses on increasing the knowledge, skills, and competence of the students in successfully gathering and interpreting data about nutritional intake, energy expenditure, and body composition analysis. It is aimed that students, using the more recent scientific evidence, would be able to apply the nutritional diagnosis to patients presenting with undernutrition, obesity,  sarcopenia and other low muscle mass states, and in general health.

Learning outcomes and competences

1. To obtain knowledge, skills, and competencies in the assessment of energy needs, food intake, and analysis of nutrient intake.
2. To obtain knowledge, skills and competencies in anthropometric assessment and in the study of body composition.
3. Know how to choose and apply a methodology based on scientific evidence to identify dysfunctions in nutritional status.
4. Know how to interpret the findings and issue opinions.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Presentation of the teacher, the work program and the teaching and assessment methods.
2. Assessment of energy expenditures and needs.
3. Food intake assessment using a questionnaire and using biomarkers. The study of its validity. Nutritional analysis of food consumption. The particular issues of analysis and interpretation of nutritional data.
4. Anthropometry, bioimpedance and body composition assessment methods based on images, radiation and dilution. Clinical relevance of the methods for studying body composition and its results.
5. Practical sessions on anthropometry and body composition assessment using bioimpedance, ultrasound, and DXA.
6. Knowledge assessment.

Mandatory literature

Heymsfield Steven B. 340; Human body composition. ISBN: 0-7360-4655-0
Francisco Esparza-Ros; International standards for anthropometric assessment. ISBN: 978-84-16045-27-3
David C. Nieman; Nutritional assessment. ISBN: 978-1-260-08448-1
Willett Walter; Nutritional epidemiology. ISBN: 0-19-512297-6

Teaching methods and learning activities

During the lectures, the main lines of research and the latest advances and controversies on the issues are presented. Aside from theoretical teaching, students are invited to express their opinions and substantiate their views on specific issues.
In practical - laboratory classes the main themes presented in lectures are discussed using scientific articles. Issues and ideas are debated as well as tables and figures of scientific articles. Clinical cases will be discussed.
In laboratory classes, training in handling anthropometric and body composition assessment equipment, recognition of signs and symptoms of changes in nutritional status, and the choice of the most appropriate methodologies for their assessment is carried out. Indices are estimated, a comparison of results with reference data is conducted, and an individual´s nutritional status and body composition are inferred.
In the context of this Course Unit, a course on muscle mass and physical function assessment will be organized in which specialists teach current topics and practical work is carried out.

keywords

Health sciences

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	30,00
Frequência das aulas	20,00
Total:	50,00

Eligibility for exams

For the student to be able to attend this Curricular Unit, he/she will have to attend the Practical-Laboratory classes.
According to the legislation, “a student is considered to be assiduously (...) if he does not exceed the limit number of absences, corresponding to 25% of the Practical-Laboratory classes”.
If the student reaches or exceeds this limit of absences from Practical-Laboratory classes, he will not be able to attend this UC.

Calculation formula of final grade

Evaluation with the final exam.

Classification improvement

At the “Época de Recurso”.