There are two (2) parts to this assessment task.

To complete this assessment task you will be required to:

1. Contribute online discussion to a minimum of ten (10) nutrition-related topics; and
2. Complete two (2) online quizzes.

Task overview and aims: There is much confusion around what we should be doing with regards to our nutritional intakes. We all participate in discussions of issues/health topics in some way on a regular and/or frequent basis (with our friends, family, health practitioners, social media) and as such, inherently understand the value of discussion with others.

This task gives you opportunity to explore nutrition-related issues, decipher nutrition-related information, appreciate the lived experiences of others and develop skills in using and communicating reliable information, in a supported and moderated online environment.

Task details:

Part 1: Group discussion contributions: You will be required to contribute professional (includes anecdotal and evidence-based) discussion to at least (10) discussion topics (from weeks 2 through 11) which are introduced in the weekly Lessons in the unit Learning Guide (available on the course Moodle site).

Part 2: Online quizzes: Complete two (2) online quizzes which permit evaluation of your engagement and comprehension of topics (Quiz 1 questions will relate to topics introduced during weeks 2 through 6 & Quiz 2 questions will relate to topics introduced during weeks 7 through 11).

Each quiz will include 4 core 'engagement' questions (see marks below) and topic specific questions (multiple choice format) - 2 questions for each topic (1 mark each). You are only expected to answer questions relevant to each of the topics you contribute discussion to.

Engagement questions (true/false format): For discussion topic (x) -

• I made an original anecdotal or evidence-based contribution? 5 marks for each contribution (maximum 50 marks)
• I contributed a follow-up comment or discussion to another students posting? 2 marks for each additional contribution (after initial) (maximum 20 marks)
• I shared outside knowledge, expertise or experience? 2 marks for each contribution which demonstrates sharing (maximum 20 marks)
• I included evidence from reputable sources e.g. Peer-reviewed journal articles; government or industry reports or websites (with weblinks)? 1 mark for each contribution which includes links to additional resources (maximum 10 marks).

There are two (2) parts to this assessment task.

To complete this assessment task, you will be required to:

1. Write a 1500 word essay; and
2. Develop a print-based presentation

Task overview and aims: Overweight and obesity now affects more than two-thirds of Australian adults and one-quarter of Australian children. A myriad of modifiable and non-modifiable factors contribute to the development of overweight/obesity. There is much recognition for a socio-ecological approach to addressing this significant health (and economic) issue. This approach includes consideration for the range of factors which influence individual behaviours (nutrition and physical activity) within our communities and environments (homes, schools, workplaces etc) and extending across societies to policy and support at organisational and government levels. As practitioners in health (for example: educators, psychologists, nutritionists, physiologists) it is important for us to appreciate the 'realities' of nutritional intakes in our communities and provide individuals or groups with evidence-based information which can support effective changes.

Through research and reflection, this assessment task will provide you with opportunity to develop your: (i) Understanding of the complexity of overweight/obesity and its impact on our health; & (ii) skills in communicating health information to community members.

Task details:

Part 1: Essay (20%): You are required to choose one (1) of the following topics and develop a written essay (1500 words ± 10%) which methodically analyses and evaluates your chosen topic. Topics from which to choose:

• Changes in prevalence rates of obesity in Australia;
• The role of media/television/computers in the development of obesity;
• The role of carbohydrates in the development of obesity;
• The role of dietary fat in the development of obesity;
• The role of genetics in the development of obesity;
• Energy balance and the development of obesity;
• The role of media in the development of obesity;
• The role of ‘settings’ in the development of obesity;
• The role of obesity in the development of other nutrition-related diseases.

You should watch the following video entitled Why We Overeat – The Toxic Food Environment and Obesity (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health) (http://theforum.sph.harvard.edu/events/why-we-overeat/) (Playing time approximately 1 hour). This video provides a very good overview of the many factors contributing to the obesity epidemic and should help you in choosing a topic and stimulating your thoughts and research.

Part 2: Presentation (10%): Following on from your essay, you are required to develop a print-based presentation (single page poster, brochure or pamphlet) which could be provided to lay-persons within your community to improve their understanding of the obesity-related issue which you discussed in your essay. Your presentation could include specific ‘how to’ instructions or more general information about your topic (and is relevant to lay-persons). You will need to ensure you do not use academic ‘speak’ or jargon or technical terminology (without definition)).

You should aim to make your presentation visually appealing but keep in mind the relevance and need for pictures and formatting (including too much of one or the other can be distracting and may reduce the impact of the message(s) you are aiming to communicate – getting some feedback from others before submission is valuable and important).

There is no word limit for this print-based presentation but it is limited to a single page pamphlet, brochure or poster.

NOTE: both parts of this assessment task must be completed and a pass mark achieved for both parts in order to achieve a pass mark for the task.

Essay marking criteria:

Submission requirements for essay: Word document; Size 12, Times New Roman font;1.5 or double line spacing & 2.5 cm margins;Cover page/sheet; Page numbers & does not include any pictures/images, borders or colours; Original & creative argument; Fluency & succinctness; Accuracy of argument; Appropriate length; Paragraphing; Grammar & spelling.

Technical requirements:

• Introduction: informs the reader of the topic; explains why the discussion is an important one to have; provides an overview of the key points of the essay’s argument
• Body: provides discussion of the key topics included in introduction; includes relevant information; includes discussion which is logical and rational; includes discussion which is supported by scientific evidence.
• Conclusion draws together and summarises the academic opinion/argument
• Referencing style (APA or Harvard) is accurate throughout (essay and reference list)
• Adequate acknowledgment of sources throughout essay.

Presentation marking criteria:

Submission requirements for presentation: single page brochure/poster or phamphlet, saved and submitted as a PDF.

Technical requirements:

• Presentation is original and creative and links to essay discussion; demonstrates extensive research and development of ideas/concepts with clear and organised responses; has no or very few typographical/ /formatting or verbal communication errors
• Information clearly presented and easily understood by lay person
• Coherent theme throughout presentation (each item of discussion/content clearly relates to the others)
• Information logically organised with good flow
• Size not exceeded
• Referencing accurate and appropriate - where applicable.

To complete this assessment task, you will be required to:

• Review a case study and develop written responses to the following four (4) topics (approximately 500 to 800 words for each topic).

Task overview and aims: The dynamic nature of nutrition and nutrition research and the significant advances and use of the Internet and other e-technologies in the last decade, has led to an abundance of information being available to us - literally at our fingertips! Some of this information is evidence-based and some (perhaps much more than we would think or like) is fallacy (partially or completely). Coupled with the increasing changes to our lifestyles and increasing rates of 'lifestyle-related' conditions/diseases, this abundance of information has led to much confusion about how we maintain our health, and in relation to nutrition: what we should be eating; why we should be eating; and of unit how we should be eating.

This assessment task will provide you with opportunity to conduct research and explore evidence relating to nutrition assessments and recommendations aimed at improving health and wellbeing, and help you unravel some of the complexities of 'good' nutrition and how to use nutrition-related information with competence and confidence.

Task details: You will be provided with a case study which includes details of a completed nutritional assessment. The case study will be available in the Assessment Resources tab on the unit Moodle site. You will then conduct research to develop your written responses to the following topics;

Topic 1: Nutrition Assessments & Methodologies:

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of 3 day food records?
• Discuss factors that may impact the reliability and validity of food record data and which should be considered when conducting a 3 day food record (e.g. accuracy of record; recall issues; measurement issues);
• Outline the limitations of this type of nutrition assessment;
• Outline when 3 day food records should & should not be used; and
• Discuss 3 commonly used anthropometric measures, reasons for their use and their limitations.

Topic 2: Nutrition recommendations and guidelines for Australians:

• Conduct an analysis of this individual’s dietary intake in relation to relevant Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG’s) AND recommendations included in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGTHE) (NHMRC, 2013); and
• Discuss your results and possible implications in relation to this individual’s risk of developing nutrition-related conditions/diseases (consider evidence in the ADG’s).

Topic 3: Critical analysis of nutrition information and resources:

• Develop a list of at least three (3) reliable resources which you could provide this individual to assist them in improving their nutritional intake;
• Include Weblinks and/or references to these resources; and
• Provide written justification for your choice of resources.

Topic 4: Strategies for improving lifestyle behaviours and disease-risks:

• Outline the diet-disease links relevant to this individuals assessment
• OUtline 3 strategies for this individual that would aim to improve their overall dietary intake and wellbeing (this may include recommendations for physical activity & possible environmental/social changes); and
• Provide written justification (evidence-based explanation) for each of your recommendations.

Each written response for each topic should include:

• Brief introduction: to the topic (approximately 100-200 words);
• Body – main discussion/response (approximately 300-400 words); and
• Conclusion: summary sentences for your response (approximately 100-200 words).
• Minimum of five (5) scientific/reliable references for each response to each topic (ie, a minimum of 20 references for your submission).

The following criteria will be used to assess how well you address the requirements of this task.

Submission criteria:

• Word document; Size 12, Times New Roman font; 1.5 or double line spacing & 2.5 cm margins
• Cover page/sheet; page numbers and does not include any pictures/images, borders or colours
• Appropriate length; referencing accurate and consistently applied; appropriate number of scientific/reliable references (minimum 5 per topic)

Overall quality of submission:

• Fluency and succinctness
• Paragraph development
• Grammar and spelling

Topic 1:

• Includes brief introduction and conclusion to the topic of nutrition assessments and methodologies
• Discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of 3 day food records
• Consideration for factors during conduct of 3 day food record
• Limitations of use and when 3 day food records should be used
• Discussion of 3 anthropometric measures, their reasons for use and their limitations

Topic 2:

• Includes brief introduction and conclusion to the topic of nutrition recommendations and guidelines in Australia
• Analysed in relation to ADGs (one or more of guidelines with justification included)
• Analysed in relation to the AGTHE – recommended serves of food groups & discretionary foods per day
• Results of analyses discussed & includes consideration of evidence from ADGs
• Implications of analyses discussed in relation to risk of nutrition-related conditions/diseases

Topic 3:

• Includes brief introduction and conclusion to the topic of nutrition information and resources
• List of 3 ‘credible’ resources recommended (with weblinks and/or and evidence-based justification of choices included

Topic 4:

• Includes brief introduction and conclusion to the topic of nutritional needs relative to lifestyle behaviours and characteristics
• Relevant diet-disease links outlined
• Three relevant strategies documented
• Evidence-based explanation provided for each strategy/recommendation.