XNB255 Nutritional Epidemiology
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | XNB255 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | XNB148 and (XNB150 or CWB103 or CWB200) and XNB151 and 24 credit points of introductory biosciences units from: (CZB190 or LQB180), LQB182, LQB281, LQB185, LSB142 |
| Equivalent(s): | XNH355 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Knowledge of data variable types and basic statistical principles is assumed knowledge. |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $5,784 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | XNB255 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | XNB148 and (XNB150 or CWB103 or CWB200) and XNB151 and 24 credit points of introductory biosciences units from: (CZB190 or LQB180), LQB182, LQB281, LQB185, LSB142 |
| Equivalent: | XNH355 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Knowledge of data variable types and basic statistical principles is assumed knowledge. |
| Coordinator: | Jolieke van der Pols | j.vanderpols@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Research studies generate the knowledge of food and nutrition used in professional practice, and this knowledge is continuously evolving. The ability to understand how new knowledge of foods and diets that promote health, food security and sustainability is generated is an essential skill that nutrition and dietetics professionals require throughout their career. Nutritional epidemiology and research skills are essential competencies in the discipline. In this unit you will therefore develop an understanding of the methods for collection of diet and nutrition-related data, the unique challenges and opportunities for collecting data on dietary intake and nutritional status in population studies, and methods and statistical techniques used to draw conclusions from the data collected including those focused on health, sustainability and food security.
A workshop will focus nutritional epidemiology and its application in nutrition and dietetics careers.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply the fundamental principles of nutritional epidemiology in an ethical and culturally safe and responsive manner, including study design, diet and nutrition data collection methods, and assessment of nutritional status in population groups.
- Critically appraise methods and techniques for collection of population level data for assessment of food, diet, nutrition, health, food security and sustainability characteristics of food supply.
- Analyse data with digital tools using appropriate statistical methods to correctly interpret and report the findings for communication to others.
- Demonstrate academic and professional core skills including communication, critique, reflection, ethical and sustainable practice, team work, collaboration and cultural safety.
Content
This unit covers the following topics:
- Methods for measuring dietary intake, anthropometry, and nutritional status at group and population levels in culturally diverse settings, including evaluation of strengths and limitations.
- Study design and sample selection for population-level studies of diet and nutrition
- Analysis and inference from nutritional research data including the scientific method, hypothesis testing, use of appropriate statistical methods and their interpretation, and evaluation of error, bias, and confounding issues unique to diet and nutrition research.
- Ethical issues and critical cultural competence in relation to dietary and anthropometric data collection on human subjects
- Methods to assess food insecurity and sustainability of foods and diets consumed in Australia and globally.
- Critique epidemiological approaches to consider your role in re-enforcing particular world views and approaches to culturally safe and responsive practice including data sovereignty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In this unit you will also complete a tailored employability module in nutrition and dietetics to add to your course e-Portfolio.
Learning Approaches
This unit engages your learning through a theory-to-practice based learning approach. You will develop your knowledge of the methods of nutritional epidemiology during online learning modules, tutorials and workshops that have a strong focus on real-world applications.
In this unit you will build on the basic skills of understanding and presenting nutritional data developed in XNB148 Foundations of Nutrition Practice. The content of tutorials is designed to help you apply the theoretical knowledge in hands-on practical exercises.
The online Canvas site will augment your on-campus activities with self-directed study resources.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- Formative assessment includes formative quizzes, activities and discussions during class time to assess your understanding of content and your ability to apply this to real-life situations. This will assist you in identifying particular areas for improvement to support the completion of your portfolio and prepare you for your final exam.
- Formal summative feedback on your assessment will be provided through marking rubrics and constructive comments.
Assessment
Overview
This unit incorporates both formative and summative assessment, with which you may assess your progress in the unit and the course.
In Assessment 1 you will apply your knowledge in a combination of group based and individual tasks focused on study design, principles of ethics and cultural safety in digital data collection and data analysis using real-world data and research questions. A series of formative online quizzes will be provided to support you in preparation for this task.
In the final exam you will critically appraise methods for collection of diet and nutrition-related data and techniques used to carry out population level assessment of sustainability characteristics of foods and diets, and of food security and draw evidence-based conclusions using real-life examples of nutrition focused data collections and data analysis.
In this unit, you will add evidence of your engagement in career planning modules in nutrition and dietetics to your Leadership in Nutrition Practice ePortfolio. These modules are designed to support your career planning in readiness for the later stages of your course and directions you wish to choose to pursue in the field and entry into the profession.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Planning, analysing and reporting food and nutrition data
In a small group with other students, you will design and plan a culturally safe population based study that determines the impact of dietary intake and nutritional status on a disease or health condition. You will use generative AI to create two hypothetical research studies and you will use foundational knowledge of nutritional assessment and critical appraisal skills to contrast and evaluate these.
In preparation for this task you will engage in four weekly workshops where you will individually perform analysis of a nutritional epidemiology dataset using a statistical software package typically used in practice by dietitians and nutritionists, and complete a series of structured questions (worksheets).
This assessment task is authentic, as you will be provided a real de-identified dataset which replicates the types of analysis that a practitioner would perform.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Exam
Complete a written, timed, invigilated problem-based questions to test your ability to identify and critically appraise methods for collection of diet and nutrition-related data and techniques used to carry out population level assessment of health and sustainability characteristics of foods and diets, and of food security and draw evidence-based conclusions from such data. The exam is in the format of multiple choice questions and short to medium answer responses using contemporary real-world examples of research evidence derived from studies that assess food, diet and nutrition in relation to health, food security and sustainability from the field of nutritional epidemiology.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited in this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resources for this Unit will be made available through QUT Readings.
Resource Materials
Software
Jamovi Statistical software (provided by QUT)
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.XN43 Bachelor of Nutrition Science
- Apply broad theoretical, technical and cultural knowledge and skills in food and nutrition, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, to respond to a diverse range of contexts and audiences.
Relates to: Planning, analysing and reporting food and nutrition data, Exam - Analyse and apply evidence-based research and practice to provide informed, client-centred, and sustainable solutions to sometimes complex current and emerging food and nutrition problems.
Relates to: Planning, analysing and reporting food and nutrition data, Exam - Communicate and translate technical food and nutrition information clearly, safely and inclusively using a range of oral, written and digital technologies and formats responsive to the diverse cultural, social and cognitive needs of the intended audience, communities and other professionals
Relates to: Planning, analysing and reporting food and nutrition data - Perform as an inclusive, competent, culturally responsive and ethical professional, working autonomously and collaboratively on innovative and entrepreneurial approaches in food and nutrition.
Relates to: Planning, analysing and reporting food and nutrition data
XN45 Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours)
- Apply advanced theoretical, technical and cultural knowledge and skills in food, nutrition and dietetics, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, tailored to respond to a diverse range of contexts and audiences.
Relates to: Planning, analysing and reporting food and nutrition data, Exam - Critically analyse and apply evidence-based research and practice to generate informed, client-centred and sustainable solutions to complex current and emerging food, nutrition and dietetic problems.
Relates to: Planning, analysing and reporting food and nutrition data, Exam - Communicate and translate complex food and nutrition information effectively, safely and inclusively using a range of oral, written and digital technologies and formats, responsive to the diverse cultural, social and cognitive needs of clients, interdisciplinary teams, stakeholders and the broader community.
Relates to: Planning, analysing and reporting food and nutrition data - Enact inclusive, clinically adept and culturally responsive client-centred practice as a reflective, accountable and ethical professional, working autonomously and collaboratively to manage and lead innovative and entrepreneurial advances in food, nutrition and dietetics.
Relates to: Planning, analysing and reporting food and nutrition data - Conduct research with some independence that challenges, advances, builds capacity and assures quality in food, nutrition and dietetic practice, disseminating findings with individuals, interdisciplinary teams, stakeholders and communities.
Relates to: Planning, analysing and reporting food and nutrition data, Exam