GH 200 - General Nutrition

1. Explain and apply current U.S. nutrition policies to food selection and healthy eating practices.
2. Calculate and compare nutrient contents and densities to effect quality food choices. 
3. Explain the structural/functional relationships of nutrients in both foods and the human body.
4. Organize and outline the processes of digestion and absorption of foods and their components.
5. Describe and explain the metabolism and roles of energy yielding macronutrients.
6. Calculate healthy body weight and apply energy balance strategies to address obesity, overweight and underweight. 
7. Apply knowledge of the influence of emotional, social, environmental and political issues on food availability, food selection and attitudes regarding diet and health. 
8. Discuss the interrelationships between genetics, diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors on the development of infectious and chronic diseases.
9.  List, describe and discuss nutritional needs throughout the human lifecycle.
10.  Apply principles of a nutritious diet and exercise to improve personal wellness. 
11.  Identify and utilize quality data and information sources pertinent to problems or issues being examined. 

I. Nutrition Introduction

 A. Diet and Lifestyle

 B. Nutrition and Genetics

 C. Nutrition Science – Components of a Nutritious Diet

 D. Behavior’s Role

II. Nutrition Tools

 A. DRIs

 B. Dietary Guidelines and Diet Planning

 C. Nutrient Density and Food Labels

Unit 2 - Physiology and Energy Yielding Macronutrients

III. Physiology

 A. Cells

 B. Systems

C.  Digestive, Excretory and Storage Systems

IV. Macronutrients – Food Sources, Digestion, Absorption, Functions and Features

 A. Carbohydrates

 B. Proteins

 C. Lipids

Unit 3 - Energy, Diet and Health

V. Energy Balance and Health Body Weight

 A. Energy Balance

 B. Too Much vs. Too Little Body Fat

 C. Body Weight vs. Fatness

 D. Appetite and its Regulation

 E. Healthy Weight Gain and Loss

 F. Medical Treatment of Obesity

 G. Eating Disorders

VI. Nutrition and Disease

 A. Introduction

 B. Infectious Diseases

 C. Chronic Diseases – Cardiovascular Diseases, Cancer, Diabetes

Unit 4 – Water, Micronutrients and Physical Activity

VII. Minerals

 A. Introduction

 B. Major Minerals

 C. Trace Minerals

D.  Mineral Specific Health Concerns

VIII. Water

 A. Functions

 B. Water Balance

 C. Body Fluids

IX. Vitamins

 A. Introduction

 B. Fat vs. Water Soluble Vitamins

 C. Provitamins vs. Preformed Vitamins

 D. Dose and Effect

 E. Minimizing Vitamin Loss

 F.  Vitamin Functions

 G. Vitamin Sources: Food Sources vs. Supplements

X. Performance Nutrition

 A. Fitness

 B. Fuel Use

 C. Micronutrient and Water Needs

 D. Ergogenic Aids

Unit 5 - Lifecycle Nutrition

XI. Maternal and Infant Nutrition

 A. Maternal Nutrition

 B. Lactation

 C. Infant Nutrition

XII. Child, Adolescent and Older Adult Nutrition

 A. Child Nutrition

 B. Adolescent Nutrition

 C. Older Adult Nutrition

 
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
CA 250 (anti-requesite)

The Grand Rapids Community College nutrition faculty has specified essential abilities and technical standards critical to the success of students in any GRCC nutrition course. Students must demonstrate these essential abilities to succeed in these courses. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities and technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations.

1.  Essential judgment skills include the ability to identify, assess, and comprehend situations for the purpose of problem solving and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions.  Specifically, students must be able to:

• Apply mathematical concepts to solve problems
• Discern relevant and irrelevant information when solving problems
• Express knowledge of the appropriate level of nutritional concepts in written and/or  verbal formats
• Draw conclusions based on knowledge and/or experimental results

2.  Essential communication skills include the ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, and all members of the Physical Sciences department. Specifically, students must be able to:

• Understand written and verbal direction when completing tasks and assignments associated with the lecture portion of science courses
• Understand written and verbal directions when following all Departmental safety rules and procedures
• Use information technology skills consistent with effective communication.

3.  Essential emotional coping skills include the ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of scientific discovery.  Specifically, students must be able to:

• Engage in multitasking without becoming overly stressed
• Collaborate with classmates to complete a task in the classroom
• Cooperate with others and work in groups or alone as indicated by a particular course

4.  Essential intellectual/conceptual skills include the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of nutrition. Specifically, students must be able to:

• Select appropriate methods to solve mathematical problems
• Use a calculator to complete calculations
• Use a computer to generate graphs and reports
• Analyze complex graphical data and/ or concepts
• Express an understanding of the concepts learned in nutrition courses in written form or verbally

5.  Other essential behavioral attributes include the ability to engage in activities consistent with safe practice without demonstrated behaviors of addiction to, abuse of, or dependence on alcohol or other drugs that may impair behavior or judgment. The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the Physical Sciences Department and as a developing professional in the field of science consistent with accepted standards of practice.

Grand Rapids Community College strives to be more than ADA compliant. We strive to be accessible and welcoming to all students of all abilities. After reviewing the Essential Abilities/Technical Standards for this program; your responsibilities as a student entail determining if you can complete all associated coursework either:

• With Accommodation. I am otherwise qualified to meet the same academic standards as any other student entering the program. However, based on a medically documented condition or diagnosis, I would qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). I will meet with Disability Support Services on campus to arrange those accommodations in an interactive process with the department of Physical Sciences.

• Without Accommodation. I am able to complete the program without need for reasonable accommodation or modification. In the event my medical documentation reveals otherwise or a condition manifests that would necessitate an accommodation; it is my responsibility to inform a responsible authority figure within the department of (field of study) and work with Disability Support Services to see if a reasonable accommodation or modification can be made.

If you have a medically documented condition or diagnosis, please contact the (field of study) office, or contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at disability@grcc.edu or by phone at 616.234.4140 to arrange accommodations through our interactive process.