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Wageningen University

Nutrition and Health: Macronutrients and Overnutrition

Wageningen University via edX

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Overview

Food plays a central role in our society but few people actually understand what it does to our bodies. Learn more about nutrition and how our diet profoundly impacts our current and future health. This introductory nutrition course addresses the relationship between nutrition and human health with a focus on health problems related to overnutrition.

In this course, Professor Sander Kersten from Wageningen University will introduce you to the chemistry of the three macronutrients fat, carbohydrate and protein. You will learn how macronutrients are absorbed, stored, and metabolized for energy, and you will gain a contemporary view of how different types of fats, carbohydrates and proteins affect human health. Moreover, the course will cover energy homeostasis and the regulation of bodyweight, and provides ample coverage of the topic of obesity. Finally, it will make you familiar with nutritional research and research methodologies.

For whom?

The MOOC Nutrition and Health: Macronutrients and Overnutrition is especially useful for health care professionals and people working in the food industry with a non-nutrition background. You will develop a critical mindset by learning to better weigh and interpret information about food, nutrition and health.

This course, is part of the Food, Nutrition and Health Professional Certificate Program of Wageningen University & Research. Did you already complete Nutrition and Health: Micronutrients and Malnutrition? That is the other course in the Food, Nutrition and Health Professional Certificate Program. To explore other learning opportunities about nutrition, have a look at the courses:

  • Food Risks
  • Human Microbiome
  • Nutrition and Cancer
  • Nutrition, Heart Disease and Diabetes

Syllabus

Module 1: Basic Principles
In the first module you will be introduced into the basics of nutritional science
and you will learn about the different study designs that are used in nutrition
research.

Module 2: Carbohydrates
In this module you will be introduced to the basics of carbohydrates.

Module 3: Carbohydrates and Health (verified learner only)
In this module we will focus on the health effects of one specific group of
carbohydrates: sugar.

Module 4: Lipids
This module will teach you the basics of fats or lipids.

Module 5: Lipids and Health (verified learner only)
This module will start out by discussing cardiovascular (heart) disease and risk
factors for cardiovascular disease, and will go on to explore the effects of fatty acids
on cholesterol.

Module 6: Proteins and Health
The module starts with the basics of dietary protein, and will go on to address the
question of what specific health effects can be attributed to dietary protein.

Module 7: Energy homeostasis sand energy balance
In this module we will look at the balance between food (energy) intake and exergy
expenditure.

Module 8: Weight management
This module concentrates on weight management and the topic of obesity.

Module 9: Nutrition and Sports (verified learner only)
In this extra module we look at the impact of nutrition on exercise

Taught by

Sander Kersten

Tags

Reviews

4.7 rating, based on 346 Class Central reviews

4.5 rating at edX based on 62 ratings

Start your review of Nutrition and Health: Macronutrients and Overnutrition

  • Anonymous
    This course offered a good amount of information on nutrition and micronutrients and was overall engaging and interesting. But, I had two issues with it. First, the amount of information given to students auditing the course is insufficient, in my…
  • MSatanove
    Sander Kersten really knows his stuff. His English is not perfect, but he is clear. And he has a quirky sense of humour. I particularly like that he presents a very balanced view of controversial subjects. This is a very good course for anybody wanting basics in nutrition science and some clarity around all the conflicting information about nutrition. Also, both he and the TAs are far more active in the discussion forum than I've seen in any course so far (and I've taken or dabbled in a few), except perhaps Understanding the Brain from the U of Chicago, which also was very good. I like, too, that several weeks are opened at once, and it's possible to work ahead. I'm close to done with this course and thoroughly enjoying it.
  • Profile image for Agustiah Agustiah
    Agustiah Agustiah @agustiah
    Very informative course, that explains important nutrients and their metabolism and effect to body/ health. This course also discusses some options to live healthier lifestyle, what works, what doesn't
  • Anonymous
    This course was very interesting to me, with scientific based information and live interviews with experts on the field, and what is more important I learned a practical way to apply the knowledge acquired through this course in my personal life.

    definitely would recommend to anyone wanting to learn more about nutrition
  • Anonymous
    the course is based on scientific facts and researches that are valid and reliable . The presenter is very objective as evidenced by his preferential vegan diet however using science explained valid and reliable reasons why children should not adhere to a vegetarian diet . Also very important fact is that the course addresses obesogenic factors which play as important role as an individual on developing obesity.
  • Profile image for Elena Nunez
    Elena Nunez
    I found this course extremely useful when you are trying to understand the basic concepts of nutrition and how your diet affects your health and general well-being.
    It also provides very valuable tools to analyze the enormous amount of information related to food, nutrition and health that is now available to the general public through the media, helping us to separate truth from uninformed and misleading conclusions.
    On the other hand, Professor Sander's great sense of humor and an excellent team and great technological platform made me really enjoy this course
  • Anonymous
    Nutrition and Health: Macronutrients and Overnutrition" offers valuable insights. It clearly explains macronutrients' roles, which is great for understanding basic nutrition. However, the section on overnutrition could delve deeper into real-world impacts and solutions. Overall, it's a useful starting point for those seeking knowledge on these crucial health aspects.
  • Anonymous
    Nutrition and Health: Macronutrients and Overnutrition" offers valuable insights. It clearly explains macronutrients' roles, which is great for understanding basic nutrition. However, the section on overnutrition could delve deeper into real-world impacts and solutions. Overall, it's a useful starting point for those seeking knowledge on these crucial health aspects.
  • Anonymous
    I have thoroughly enjoyed this course so much and definitely recommend it. I have told many friends about EDX and they too have enrolled in courses that adhere to their specific interests. One of the factors of the course I enjoyed are the many visu…
  • Anonymous
    I have learned so much about nutrition and how our body works, much more than I anticipated. I find it the right balance of pushing me and expecting me to do my own research. The language part is a little challenging yet there is some humour and an expectation that we should understand the information at the end, not just know how to get the right answers on the test. I like that part. No dumbing down here.
  • Anonymous
    The course was very informative and the videos enjoyable. I enjoyed the longer videos with the experts in the particular field providing information on the subject.
    I would highly recommend this course to broaden the knowledge in Nutrition and health.
  • Anonymous
    Very interesting to understand food, how we process it in our body and its effects on health.
    Course content is well explained in videos and with many links for further information.
    Also practical exercises and reviews for daily life.
  • Anonymous
    This comprehensive course takes stock of research on diet and health, explaining what the scientific evidence is and what theories are based on mere claims. It's an ideal course for those with a sound knowledge of nutrition.
  • Anonymous
    The course is so intensive and deep, which enrich my knowlege and help me a lot.
    I strongly recommend this course to anyone who want to work in nutrition field and help people to eat healthier and live longer.
  • Anonymous
    The quality of the information us superb. Everything is explained in a way that is comprehensible with the aid of animations or figures. Plus I enjoyed the structure of eachnof the Modules.
  • Anonymous
    No list of lifestyle factors that contribute to longevity would be complete without nutrition . There is broad consensus that what we eat contributes significantly to our health. Maintaining good health is a critical factor in longevity. Unfortunat…
  • Anonymous
    The combination of video, assignments and studying makes it not only educational but also fun to do.
  • Maboroshi
    Nice course. The course content is elaborate and well-organized, combined with moderate reading materials and well-knit lectures. The quizzes are a bit of tricky with only one time trial allowed.
  • Anonymous
    This course has given a very solid grounding into the basics of nutrition and digesting/metabolism of macronutrients. It also covered diets and the key factors affecting the obesity epidemic of today. I also found particularly useful the first module describing the different types of nutrition science studies - it helps me to assess claims/articles in the media with a more critical eye.

    As a tip to the organisers, it'd be more beneficial to ensure the grading is combination of verified module exams and either peer review/moderator assessment - it could promote more dialogue/discussion amongst the students.
  • Anonymous
    Great course overall! The course is for beginners but offers enough depth and detail to be interesting: it gives you the opportunity to gain a good overview and grip on the material.
    Generally, the information is very clear, easy to follow, and well structured, though there is sometimes overlap between videos and text with different details given in each, and some improvement could be made here.
    I also appreciated that most information is conveyed by a teacher in videos, rather than a computer-generated voice or through text. Great professors! Thank you WUR.
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