University of Sharjah

College of Health Sciences

Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics


Conceptual Framework
Contents
Important Terms


Historical Perspective
Early Practice of Dietetics
Areas of Practice Today


Founding of American Dietetic Association (ADA)


B.Sc. in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics
Overview
Graduate Competencies
Program Structure & Study Plan
Educational Strategies
Career Opportunities
Faculty and Students
CN&D Society







Important Terms
Food
All that we eat to help us grow and maintain good
health.
Derived from plant or animal sources
Provide energy and nutrients
Used by the body for growth, and repair

Nutrition
Science of food & its relationship with health. It is
concerned primarily with the part played by the
nutrients in body growth, development and
maintenance.



Important Terms
Diet: The foods one consumes; the quantity and
quality of which affects the risk of chronic diseases

Nutrients: Food factor are specific constituents
in food that are responsible for different body
processes & health

Dietetics: Diet Therapy is the practical
application of the principles of Nutrition. It includes
the planning of meals for the people in good health
as well as in disease conditions





Historical Perspective
Diet in treatment of diseasean ancient practice.

Food and health linked early although knowledge was
only theoretical.

18
th
Century: Information about digestion, respiration,
metabolism developed as forerunners for discovery of
nutrients.

In the mid-1800s and early 1900s, most vitamins and
minerals were discovered.

Early Practice of Dietetics
Cooking schools
Cooking
Chemistry lab
Special classes for the sick
Hospital Dietetics
Florence Nightingalenurse/dietitian in Crimean War
mid 1800s. Improved food supply and sanitary conditions
in hospitals

First hospitalslimited food choices and monotonous menus


Clinics and the Military
The Frances Stern Clinic in Boston was one of first and leads
today as treatment center and model.

Military dietitians played roles in Civil War and World Wars I
and II.
Areas of Practice Today
Dieto-therapy became
Diet Therapy, then
Clinical Dietetics,
Medical Nutrition
Therapy or Clinical
Nutrition

Education
Social welfare became
Community Nutrition

Administration became
Institutional
Administration, Food
Service Management,
Management of Food
and Nutrition
Founding of American Dietetic
Association (ADA)
1909: Food and nutrition persons joined the
American Home Economics Association.

1917: ADA founded in Cleveland with 39 charter
members and dues of $1.00.

2012: Name of ADA being changed to Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics from January 2012.
B.Sc. in Clinical Nutrition and
Dietetics: Overview
Full time 4 year program offering 134 credit hours

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One of the 7 majors offered at CHS in University of Sharjah
Accredited by Ministry of Higher Education and Research,
UAE
Established in 2006-07; 1
st
batch graduated in Spring
2009-10
Registered almost 190 students currently
Designed to graduate competent clinical nutritionists and
dietitians
CN&D Program
Committed to:

Enhance its standing as a national and international leader
in clinical nutrition and dietetics:
Education;
Research and
Service delivery
with an emphasis on serving the needs of the United Arab
Emirates

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Graduates Competencies
Knowledge and Understanding
Integrate the knowledge of food and nutrition with the
knowledge of other sciences
Patient and population care
Design, implement and evaluate the nutritional care plan for
restoration of health among patients and general population
Communication
Acquire verbal, written and presentation communication skills
Disseminate nutrition and health related Information
Education and Communication (IEC) material and demonstrate
skills in documentation of records

12
Continued
Management and Leadership
Develop traits of an efficient manager and a good team worker
Health Education and Community Services
Participate and organize community activities related to nutrition and
health
adopting the multi-disciplinary approach in the health care system
Professionalism
Apply the professional ethics in practice as clinical nutritionists and
dietitians
Critical and Creative Thinking
Utilize the current sources of recent advances in food and nutrition
and develop a research set
Life Long Learning
Exhibit independent learning traits

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Program Structure
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Requirements
Credit hours
Remarks
Compulsory Elective Total
University 12 12 24
College 24 - 24
Department 80 6 86
Including 12 Credit
Hours (540 contact
hours) of clinical
practice
TOTAL
116 18 134
Study Plan
Year One : essentials of life and health sciences
chemistry, biology, physics, human anatomy and physiology
Year Two: applied sciences of biochemistry, microbiology, and
introduced to the fundamentals of nutrition; principles of food science, and
psycho-social aspects in food behavior
Year Four: courses involving intensive knowledge and
application of advanced medical nutrition therapy, diet planning,
community & clinical practice, food service management, food analysis,
professional ethics and research, project work
Year Three: specialized courses related to nutritional assessment and
nutritional demands during life span; food processing; health education and
promotion, medical nutrition therapy , diet planning & clinical practice
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Education Strategies
The curriculum emphasizes on development of:

Critical thinking through lectures, group discussion and
self-directed learning;
Interpersonal skills and leadership qualities

Traditional as well as innovative learning methods
incorporated to instill independent learning and computer
skills that prepare graduates to be lifelong learners

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A variety of profiles pertaining to their areas of
interest and competence:

Hospitals, Clinics, Health & Wellness Centers
Schools & other Educational/Research Institutions
Food Industry
Social and humanitarian Institutions
Government agencies, International & National Health programs
Private Practice and Entrepreneurship
Career Opportunities
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Faculty (2012-13)
18
Professor

Advisory Board (3 members)
Adjunct Faculty (4 members)
Part Time Faculty (need-based)
Clinical Training
Clinical: MoH and DHA hospitals
Community: Sharjah Medical District- MoH,
schools, elderly home, maternal and child health
centres, diabetes centre, centre for developmental
diseases


External Technical Support

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Clinical Nutrition &
Dietetics Society

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Opportunity for the students to interact
A platform to express their concerns
Satisfying the students desire for knowledge update
by organizing:
Lectures
Workshops
Discussions with experts


Purpose
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