This course provides an overview of the evolution of nutrition research from its early beginnings to the present day. Students will explore the key milestones in the field of nutrition science, including the development of dietary guidelines and recommendations, the discovery of essential nutrients, role of nutrition in disease, and the evolution of food processing and fortification. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and assignments, students will gain an understanding of how current dietary guidelines have been shaped by scientific research and cultural factors, and they will be able to critically evaluate the evidence behind current nutrition recommendations. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper appreciation for the complex history and interdisciplinary nature of nutrition research and its impact on public health.
2 units · Medical Option (Med-Ltr-CR/NC)
This course provides an overview of the evolution of nutrition research from its early beginnings to the present day. Students will explore the key milestones in the field of nutrition science, including the development of dietary guidelines and recommendations, the discovery of essential nutrients, role of nutrition in disease, and the evolution of food processing and fortification. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and assignments, students will gain an understanding of how current dietary guidelines have been shaped by scientific research and cultural factors, and they will be able to critically evaluate the evidence behind current nutrition recommendations. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper appreciation for the complex history and interdisciplinary nature of nutrition research and its impact on public health.
Offered in Winter 2027 at Stanford University.