Social Determinants of Nutrition over the Life Course

Understanding and addressing the social determinants of nutrition are fundamental for improving population health and reducing health inequalities. This course deepens students' knowledge of the social determinants of nutrition and health and the types of policy and environmental interventions meant to reduce social inequalities in nutrition. In addition, students are exposed to life course approaches to health to gain an understanding of how the effects of social determinants on health might cumulate or vary across life stages, and across different geographical contexts, including the Global North and South. The course thus provides students with a holistic picture of social and economic inequalities in nutrition, and the tools to evaluate policies aimed at reducing these inequalities.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• Identify and define the different social determinants of nutrition and health
• Describe the different life course approaches to studying health
• Discuss the role of the environment (e.g., neighbourhood) and life stage (e.g., adolescence) in shaping the influence of social determinants on nutrition and health
• Discuss the mechanisms linking social determinants to nutrition and health
• Analyse critically the effects of public policies on the social determinants of nutrition and health
• Apply life course approaches in the study of social determinants of nutrition and health

Assumed Knowledge:
This course is designed for third-year Bachelors' students, with some basic knowledge of social sciences, health or nutrition.