Learn Food and Nutrition Management
with a focus on children
Certificate qualification with specialism in child and baby nutrition.
Study four core modules made up of Children's Nutrition, Nutrition I, II and III
Then choose two elective modules from Child Psychology, Sports Nutrition, Therapeutic Nutrition or Nutrition for Weight Loss.
Modules
Note that each module in the Qualification - Certificate in Children's Nutrition is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
FOUR REASONS WHY CHILDREN EAT
Nourishment
Eat too little, and there won’t be enough energy to function. Eat too much, and the excess energy can contribute to weight gain and other problems.
The amount of food need varies from person to person. Rather than focus on a specific amount of food, pay attention to the body’s signals. A good-sized meal leaves you feeling comfortable, but not overly full. You should be able to get up and move around without feeling slow or heavy.
Hunger
This is a feeling experienced when a person desires eating. It is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain. It has been likened to a computer centre which receives and sends messages based on the incoming information. Hunger is often understood to be an unpleasant sensation. The sensation of hunger generally occurs 2-3 hours after eating and can be alleviated by consuming more food. It is a fluctuation in hormones which result in the body’s motivation for food. After extreme lengths of times the person may start to experience ‘hunger pangs’ which are a physical contraction of the stomach muscles. Each individual contraction only lasts for approximately 30 seconds, but they may continue for a period up to 30 minutes. The feeling of hunger then reduces or completely subsides for a while – often up to as long as 150 minutes.
Appetite
There is a difference between appetite and hunger – appetite signals guide the selection of food someone chooses. It is influenced by both metabolic factors and hedonic factors. Appetite is “what do I want to eat?” Influences on appetite include the persons already learned preferences of food. These include hedonic factors of palatability, taste and odour; environmental influences such as temperature i.e. if a person feels cold they are more likely to desire hot food. If someone is suffering disease their metabolic conditions change as a result of neurotransmitter levels or hormones and this alter food choices.
Hedonism
The palatability of food based on its texture, smell, taste and smell and the surroundings in which the food is consumed. Tastes differ from one person to the next. Some foods might taste too salty or sweet for one person, but not for another person. The taste and smell of food are directly linked. Interestingly, if someone holds their nose whilst eating most of the taste of the food would be lost. Often smell is a trigger to consume food. If food can be smelled – we often initiate a physiological response desire food. Some foods are often rejected because of their odour; other foods are desired because of the aroma. Smell has a huge role to play in deciding on which foods to consume.
AFTER YOUR STUDIES
You may already be influencing the dietary habits of children before you start this course. If that's the case; you will become a better influence as you learn and understand more about children's nutrition.
The course may enhance your career opportunities, improving what you can do in a job or business you are already involved with. It may help you to influence the wellbeing of your own family or others around you.
Understanding nutrition better will also expand the awareness you have of opportunities for employment in the food and nutrition industries.
Employment prospects my be found in any of the following situations:
- Nutritional Advice
- Health Support
- Fitness industry
- Health food shops
- Food growing, processing or supply
- Food service
