Learn how energy balance, physical activity, and young-adult lifestyles affect nutrition needs and decisions. Drawing on content from Jamie Pope and Steven Nizielski, authors of Scientific American Nutrition for a Changing World, published by Macmillan Learning, this course applies nutrition science to weight management, fitness, and the college years.

You will examine energy intake and expenditure, body composition, and genetic and environmental contributors to obesity. You will use these concepts to evaluate weight-management strategies and consider how diet and physical activity interact. Fitness topics include energy systems, macronutrient needs, hydration, supplements, and performance-related nutrition. You will also examine nutrition concerns during the college years, including alcohol, disordered eating, food insecurity, sleep, and stress. Through readings and practice activities, you will apply nutrition concepts to exercise-related decisions and everyday situations in young adulthood. The course includes approximately eight hours of learning material and builds on foundational nutrition concepts. This course is part of the Applied Nutrition, Metabolism & the Dietary Guidelines in Action Specialization and can also be taken independently.