This subject provides an updated vision of the methodological basis of epidemiology, highlighting the special features inherent to nutritional epidemiology. This subject also inter-relates and completes knowledge that a Graduate in Nutrition and Diet acquires during the course, offering an overall vision of research in nutritional epidemiology in human beings and provides the scientific level required to work as a professional in the field of Nutrition in decision-making and therapeutic practical work.

COMPETENCES

1. Participate in the analysis, planning, intervention and evaluation of epidemiological studies and intervention programmes in diet and nutrition in different areas (M05CM02).

2. Design and make nutritional evaluations to identify the population's needs in terms of diet and nutrition, and identify key factors in nutritional health (M05CM03).

3. Design, intervene in and carry out diet-nutrition educational programmes, and training in diet and nutrition (M05CM04).

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Apply the epidemiological method to study the effect of diet on human health.

2. Learn about the main types of epidemiological studies used to respond to a research question.

3. Calculate the main epidemiological measures in different types of epidemiological studies.

4. Analyse statistically the data from nutritional epidemiological studies.

5. Evaluate the validity of the nutritional epidemiology studies.

5. Make bibliography searches in biomedical databases.

7. Critically evaluate scientific articles in the field of nutritional epidemiology.

8. Formulate an evidence-based nutritional recommendation.

9. Select methods to measure diet and the intake of the most suitable nutrients in different types of epidemiological studies.

10. Carry out teamwork in a collaborative and cooperative manner.

Introduction to Nutritional Epidemiology.

Types of study design in Nutritional Epidemiology.

Frequency measures / association and effect measures.

Data analysis.

Causality

Validity in nutritional studies. Bias and confusion

Diet evaluation in Nutritional studies

1. In theory classes (lectures) the concepts of the subject will be taught, with student participation in occasional debates.



2. In the practical work sessions, individual and collective exercises will be done. Problem-solving in class will be done in a participative way- Problems and exercises will be provided to be worked on individually or in groups, to go into greater detail in the theoretical knowledge of the subject and relate Public Health to other similar areas.



3. In the practical work with computers the students will make bibliography searches using biomedical search engines, and they will carry out epidemiological exercises to learn how to calculate the main measures of frequency and effect applied to different epidemiological studies. At the end, each group will present the main methodological aspects of the study they have worked on to their fellow students. In this way, the formulation of questions and open discussion will be encouraged so that students can acquire skills related to oral communication, the ability to summarise and work in a team.

• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 60
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 10
  • Individual works (%): 5
  • Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 10
  • Exhibition of works, readings ... (%): 10
  • Otros: Participación, actitud y asistencia (%): 5

A) 40 % TEORIA (4 puntos):



- 1 punto: Búsqueda de información y participación en clase.

- 3 puntos: Examen



B) 60 % PRÁCTICAS (6 puntos):



- 3 puntos Trabajo en grupo (diseño de un estudio epidemiologico)

- 3 puntos: Examen



Tipo de Examen:



- Preguntas cortas, preguntas largas, preguntas test y ejercicos.

- 5 puntos nota mínima para aprobar la asignatura.

- 4 puntos nota mínima en el examen para aprobar.

Assessment will be in the combined modality, as follows:







- Theory-practice exam 60%

- Information search, exercises, participation, attitude and attendance: 20%

- Individual work (data analysis) 5%

- Team work: 20 (10% writting and 10% oral presentation)

- Attendance and participation:5%



Clarifications:

- If the student does not present him/herself at the exam he/she will be considered to have withdrawn from the call and will appear as “Not presented”.

- Minimum mark to pass the subject: 5 points

- Minimum mark to pass the theory-practical exam: 5 points.

Basic bibliography

Kleinbaum et al. A pocket guide to epidemiology. Springer 2007.

Serra Majem LL, Aranceta Bartrina J, Mataix Verdú J. Nutrición y Salud Pública. Métodos, bases científicas y aplicaciones. 2ª ed. Barcelona: Masson, 2006.

Willett WC. Nutritional Epidemiology. 2ª ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 1998.

Colimon KM. Fundamentos de Epidemiología. Madrid: Díaz de Santos; 1990

Nutrición en Salud Publica. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 2007.

In-depth bibliography

Books:

Rothman et al. Modern Epidemiology (3. edición).

Scientific papers:

• Morgenstern H, Kleinbaum D, Kupper LL. Measures of disease incidence used in epidemiologic research. Int J Epidemiol 1980; 9: 97-104.

• Nieto-García FJ, Peruga-Urrea A. Riesgo atribuible: Sus formas, usos e interpretación. Gac Sanit 1990; 18: 112-117.

• Delgado-Rodríguez M, Llorca J. Bias. J Epidemiol Community Health 2004; 58: 635-641.



• Martínez, J. y Gómez, F. (2010) La técnica puzle de Aronson: descripción y desarrollo. En Arnaiz, P.; Hurtado, Mª.D. y Soto, F.J. (Coords.) 25 Años de Integración Escolar en España: Tecnología e Inclusión en el ámbito educativo, laboral y comunitario. Murcia: Consejería de Educación, Formación y Empleo.

Journals

• European Journal of Clinical Nutrition http://www.nature.com/ejcn/index.html
• European Journal of Epidemiology http://link.springer.com/journal/10654
• American Journal of Clinical Nutrition http://ajcn.nutrition.org/
• American Journal of Epidemiology https://academic.oup.com/aje