Flexible
Online
Introduction to Human Eating Behaviour
Overview
| Module Title | Introduction to Human Eating Behaviour |
| Subject Area | Food & Nutrition |
| Credits | 5 |
| NFQ | 7 |
| EFQ | |
| Start Date | Week commencing: 20th January 2025 |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Mode of Delivery | Online |
| Course Leader | Dr Emma Feeney |
| Fee | Full Fee: €625 Subsidised Fee: €125 *80% Learner Fee Subsidy for eligible learners (Please see below) |
| Application Deadline | 20th January 2025 Register your interest for the next intake: (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie |
In this online course, students will be introduced to the topic of Human Eating Behaviour, and the various factors affecting food choice. Food, as presented in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, is essential for human life, but in addition is a pleasurable experience that is intertwined with culture, traditions, ethical and sustainability concerns, conscious and unconscious internal factors, as well as being controlled by a number of biological feedback mechanisms that influence intake, hunger and satiety. You will learn about the different hormones involved, and the different biological pathways. The factors that impact food choice and the development of preference can vary from person to person, and can also be influenced by external cues. Food preferences, eating habits and behaviours develop, grow and adapt from birth right through to old age, as our internal and external environments and our sensory perceptions change, and as nutritional requirements change over time.
The course will examine some of the frameworks around food choice, covering the various aspects from choice behaviour, nudge theory, external cues such food packaging and marketing, sensory attributes, and food environment, and internal cues such as hunger and satiety, perception of food intake, individual genetic influences, inherent values and the development of individual food preferences.
You will learn about how these change and adapt over the lifespan and with changing environments. You will be introduced to basic principles of sensory science, and to basic concepts of eating and food oral processing such as eating rate, bite size, energy density, portion size, and their measurement. These will be integrated into biological feedback systems on appetite, satiety and hunger, how these are controlled and how they affect our food choice and intake.
Key Features
Understanding human eating behavior is relevant to a variety of professionals across multiple fields, for example Nutritionists and Dietitians,Public Health Professionals, roles within New Product Development, Marketing, Policy Makers, Sustainability & Healthy Eating Advocates and anyone who wants to focus on understanding what we eat, how and why and how they can apply those principles and others, to understanding food intake behaviour.
Please note - due to the online nature of this module, we strongly advise that you have a high degree of self-direction and motivation.
Some prior knowledge of biology will be very useful.
On successful completion of this course you will be able to:
- Describe the role of food in a range of culture and traditions globally
- Describe frameworks governing food choice, and eating behavior
- Understand differences in food preferences and describe theory on how these develop
- Understand basic concepts of nudge theory and its application to eating behaviour
- Demonstrate knowledge of the biological and psychological factors that impact food intake in different population groups
The main topic areas are:
- The history of eating behaviour and key terms
- Appetite, satiety and the control of food intake
- Food intake, eating behaviour, and development of preferences in different population groups
- The food environment, including food availability and portion sizes, as well as the economic and social environment, and decision making.
- Disordered eating
- Measurement of eating Behaviour
Some of these topics are delivered by guest lecturers who are experts in their field.
By completing this course you will gain an understanding of how the internal and external environment can impact the various factors and lead to differences in eating behaviour across the lifespan. You will gain the confidence to discuss the topic based on sound reliable information delivered by UCD experts and have access to the latest research in the field of eating behaviour.
This micro-credential is delivered through the UCD online learning platform (Brightspace). This is a self-directed course designed for you to work through the learning materials at your own pace as much as possible. You will need to meet the key assessment dates, but you can tread the material and engage with the lectures to suit your own schedule.
There will be several tutorials arranged for you online, covering some of the main topics/themes, and details of these will be provided during the semester. You will be encouraged to submit questions or discussion points in advance of these. They will be recorded if you are unable to attend.
A discussion forum will enable peer-to-peer interactions and discussions.
A repository of resources will be available to support your learning, and as a UCD student, you will have full access to the library.
This is a 5 ECTS micro-credential and involves approximately 100 hours of learner effort.
Applicants are required to hold the equivalent of a level 7 degree. Some prior knowledge of biology will be very useful. Applicants who do not hold the requisite qualifications may be considered on the basis of relevant work experience and advised to submit an application for assessment.
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proof of English proficiency as per UCD's minimum English language requirements.
All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
You will have 2 short multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQs), worth 15% each during the module and a longer one (70%) at the end of the module.
Feedback will be provided automatically for MCQs. After each assessment, feedback on the class performance will be given, which will be used for their continuous improvement and mastery of the module. Tutorials will also offer the opportunity for feedback.
Not at present
Please note: Learners can avail of only one form of funding per application.
Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy-Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3
The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy has been introduced to enable more learners to address critical skills gaps and engage with lifelong learning through micro-credentials. The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy is funded by Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
HCI Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidies are available on identified micro-credentials only from March 2024 until October 2025. Funded places are limited and course providers will administer the subsidy on a first come first serve basis.
Please see Eligibility Criteria for further information.
If you have any questions about this micro-credential, or would like to speak to a UCD staff member, please contact (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie.