COURSE TITLE: DIET THERAPY
INSTRUCTOR NAME: SANG NELLY JEMUTEI
INSTITUTION: RIFT VALLEY TECHNICAL TRAINING COLLEGE
Learning Guide for Diet Therapy Course
Course Overview:
This Diet Therapy course focuses on the use of nutrition and dietary modifications as
therapeutic interventions for various diseases and health conditions. It integrates
principles from clinical nutrition, medical sciences, and evidence-based dietary practices
to help students understand how food impacts health, prevent disease, and support
recovery.
1. Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Understand the role of diet in the prevention and management of chronic
diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases).
Develop individualized dietary plans for patients with different health conditions.
Apply evidence-based guidelines to clinical nutrition interventions.
Communicate effectively with patients regarding dietary modifications.
Evaluate and critique current dietary therapies in clinical settings.
2. Pedagogical Approach and Support Aspects
This course is designed to foster a collaborative and active learning environment.
Pedagogical strategies will focus on engaging students in critical thinking, problem-
solving and hands-on application of diet therapy principles. The following pedagogical
approaches will be employed:
a. Instructional Methods:
1. Lectures:
o Provide foundational knowledge on diet therapy, nutrient requirements
and disease management.
o Engage students with case studies to demonstrate the application of
theoretical knowledge in real-life scenarios.
2. Hands-on Practice:
o Case-based discussions will allow students to create meal plans based on
clinical scenarios.
o Role-play exercises to practice patient counseling on dietary changes.
3. Interactive Learning:
o Use of multimedia tools such as videos and simulations to demonstrate
nutritional assessments and diet planning.
4. Clinical Experience:
o If feasible, the course will include placements experiences in hospitals to
observe and participate in real-life diet therapy interventions.
b. Active Learning Strategies:
Collaborative Group Work: Students will collaborate in groups to design and
present diet therapy plans for specific case studies. This fosters peer-to-peer
learning and group problem-solving.
Flipped Classroom: Students will review reading materials and videos at home,
then apply their knowledge in class during interactive discussions, case study
analyses and problem-solving exercises.
c. Assessment Methods:
1. Formative Assessments:
o Weekly quizzes to assess understanding of key concepts.
o Case study discussions and presentations to evaluate the application of
dietary knowledge.
o Peer reviews of group projects to encourage collaborative learning.
2. Summative Assessments:
o Final exam assessing the integration of course content with clinical
practice.
o Final project involving the development of a comprehensive diet therapy
plan for a patient with a specific condition (e.g diabetes, kidney disease,
etc.).
3. Practical Evaluations:
o Practical exams where students create meal plans based on given case
studies and patient profiles.
3. Course Structure and Schedule
Week 1:
Topic: Introduction to Diet Therapy & Clinical Nutrition
Activities: Lecture, Reading, Discussion
Week 2:
Topic: Nutritional Assessment: Tools & Techniques
Activities: Lecture, Group Activity
Week 3:
Topic: Macronutrients in Disease Management
Activities: Case Study Discussion
Week 4:
Topic: Micronutrients in Disease Prevention
Activities: Quiz, Video Analysis
Week 5:
Topic: Dietary Interventions for Diabetes
Activities: Role-Play, Group Work
Week 6:
Topic: Cardiovascular Disease & Diet Modifications
Activities: Lecture, Case Study
Week 7:
Topic: Renal Disease & Nutrition Management
Activities: Practical Exercise, Group Presentations
Week 8:
Topic: Pediatric Diet Therapy
Activities: Lecture, Role Play
Week 9:
Topic: Diet Therapy for Cancer Patients
Activities: Discussion, Video Analysis
Week 10:
Topic: Nutrition in Geriatrics
Activities: Group Work, Case Study
Week 11:
Topic: Designing a Therapeutic Meal Plan
Activities: Practical Exercise
Week 12:
Topic: Patient Counseling Skills in Diet Therapy
Activities: Role-Play, Guest Lecture
Week 13:
Topic: Advanced Topics in Diet Therapy
Activities: Debate, Case Study
Week 14:
Topic: Review and Practical Exam Preparation
Activities: Q&A, Review Sessions
Week 15:
Topic: Final Project Presentation & Course Wrap-up
Activities: Group Presentations, Final Project
4. Learning Materials and Resources:
Textbooks:
o "Clinical Nutrition: A Functional Approach" by Diana N. Weiner.
o "Nutrition Therapy and Pathophysiology" by Marcia Nahikian-Nelms.
Online Platforms:
o Access to a learning management system (LMS) for assignments,
readings, and discussions.
o Online forums for peer discussions and faculty feedback.
Multimedia:
o Video tutorials on nutrition assessments, meal planning, and patient
interactions.
o Interactive simulations and case studies.
Supplementary Readings:
o Current research articles on diet therapy interventions and emerging
trends in nutrition.
6. Recommended Study Tips:
Stay Consistent: Review materials weekly to stay on top of the concepts, as diet
therapy often builds upon previous knowledge.
Engage in Class Discussions: Actively participate in case studies and debates
to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Practice Meal Planning: Regularly create sample meal plans to improve your
practical skills.
Utilize Office Hours: Don’t hesitate to reach out for clarification on complex
topics or assessments.
Collaborate with Peers: Study in groups to exchange ideas and insights,
particularly for case studies and project work.
7. Final Remarks:
Diet therapy is a dynamic and evolving field that requires continuous learning and
application. This course aims to equip you with the foundational knowledge and
practical skills to assess, plan, and manage therapeutic diets for individuals with various
health conditions. Remember to stay engaged, ask questions, and collaborate actively
with your peers throughout the course.
Good luck and we look forward to an exciting journey in diet therapy!
