Topic 2.5: Science of Nutrition

Scientific Method

* observation
* hypothesis
* experimental design to test the hypothesis
* collects and analyzes data
* data does not support original hypothesis, __alternative hypothesis is tested__
* data does support original hypothesis, __conclusion is drawn__
* experiment must be repeatable
* theory is proposed

Hypothesis must be _______.

testable

elements of a well-designed experiment

* adequate %%sample size%%
* %%control group%% is essential; comparing treated to untreated individuals
* attempts to %%control other factors%% (someone on a diet, smokes, etc.)

Animal Studies forming Human Studies

* are used to conduct research that __cannot be done with humans__
* drawbacks of animal studies include %%ethical concerns%% about animal treatment

epidemiological studies

* examining patterns of and factors associated with __health and disease in defined populations__
* reports the %%prevalence%% and %%incidence%%
* includes observational and case control studies

prevalence

* refers to the actual percentage of the population that has a __particular disease__ at a __given period__ of time

incidence

* refers to the %%rate of new%% (or newly diagnosed) cases of a disease within a period of time

observational studies

* used to assess dietary habits, disease trends, and other health phenomena of large populations
* to %%determine the factors%% that may influence these phenomena
* only indicates %%relationships and associations%% between factors

clinical trials

* controlled experiments that test the effect of an intervention on a $certain disease or health condition$
* includes an i$ntervention group and a group control$ into which participants are randomly assigned
* results indicate whether or not intervention may be $effective$
* includes $randomized clinical trials$ and $single and double blinding$

case control studies

* they involve %%comparing a group of individuals%% with a %%particular condition%% to a similar group without this condition

conflict of interest

* refers to a situation in which a person is in a position to %%derive personal benefit%% and %%unfair advantage%% from actions or decisions made in their official capacity
* ex. funded by a company, stipend (payment), personal travel funds, etc.

evaluating a website’s credibility

* look at the %%credentials%%
* look at the %%date published%%
* look at the %%web address%% (.ca, .gov, .org, .edu etc)
* look at the %%message being highlighted%%

quackery

* is the promotion of an *unproven remedy*
* usually by someone %%unlicensed and untrained%%, for financial gain or prestige

sources of %%trustworthy nutrition adivce%%

* registered dietician (RD)
* professional with an advanced or doctoral degree in nutrition
* physician
* government agencies

professional organizations that provide reliable nutrition information

* Dieticians of Canada
* The Canadian Nutrition Society (CNS)
* Food Secure Canada (FSC)
* Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
* Obesity Canada