Nutrition Final Assessment

Discussion Papers will give students in this course an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to consume, critically think about, and synthesize nutrition information, within the context of existing research, recommendations, and practice.
Even after you leave this course you are going to encounter nutrition information and will have to use the skills gained in this course to compare it to research, recommendations and practice, and to decide what you think about based on your own health and nutrition values. The final assessment in this course gives you the opportunity to do a deeper dive into a nutrition topic of your choice, and to present your findings and summary in writing.
For Discussion Paper Five, you can research any topic related to nutrition that you’d like, but please consider:
That there is enough research on the topic
That you can frame the topic within the suggested outline of the assignment
That you did not cover the topic in-depth in another Discussion Paper
Here are some ideas of papers from past classes, and example papers will be posted.
Added sugars: Do we really have the research to document their impact on chronic diseases
Probiotics: what does the research say vs. current trends
Sin Taxes: How taxes on what we eat, and drink is affecting consumption
Genetically Modified Foods: Pros and Cons
Sustainable Nutrition: The impact of our diet on our carbon footprint and the environment
Coffee: Is it good or bad for our health?
Or come up with your own topic! Please contact the instructor if you have questions about your proposed topic sooner, rather than later.
Step One
Conduct a brief literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles, relevant news articles, and other professional and credible statements on the topic. As noted in the Syllabus, in general for a research paper, 3 sources per page of writing should be used. There should be a balance of literature from both sides of the nutrition topic you are presenting.
Step Two
Present your findings. Your research brief should include background on the issue, pros vs. cons, and a summary of your findings. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a traditional pro/con, you can also present two sides of a nutrition issue. The point of the paper is not that there is one right answer for any of these topics, but rather to demonstrate your skills of breaking down nutrition information, how it’s presented, and deciding your own opinion on the topic.
Deliverables
Write a two-page minimum, five-page maximum doubled spaced discussion summary of the material.
Your summary should include a well-thought-out narrative that displays your ability to critically think about the topic you chose to research.
Cite any articles or sources that you decide you want to add to your discussion paper. Please refer to the citation requirements in the Syllabus.