EPIDEMIOLOGICAL METHODOLOGY AND NUTRITIONAL PREVENTION

Knowledge and Understanding

The course aims to provide students with a solid scientific and practical background and in-depth knowledge of epidemiological research methods for investigating cause-and-effect relationships and evaluating the effectiveness of preventive or therapeutic interventions; the epidemiology and prevention of nutrition-related diseases; and activities aimed at ensuring the proper application of the principles of food and nutrition, assessing dietary patterns and their relationship with disease development, and designing and evaluating nutritional strategies to promote health through healthy eating and prevent diseases at different stages of life.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to apply epidemiological research methods to design studies investigating cause-and-effect relationships and evaluating the effectiveness of preventive or therapeutic interventions for nutrition-related diseases. They will also be able to calculate and interpret the main epidemiological measures and apply the knowledge acquired to address public health issues, including through data analysis and practical case studies. Laboratory activities will enable students to consolidate their methodological skills by studying and applying specific protocols, with particular emphasis on the processing, analysis and interpretation of nutritional epidemiology data.

Making Judgements

Students will be able to critically interpret the results of epidemiological studies and the scientific literature on the epidemiology and prevention of nutrition-related conditions, following an evidence-based approach. These skills will be developed through practical exercises, laboratory activities that encourage the critical appraisal of data and epidemiological analysis results, and activities involving the critical review of scientific literature.

Communication Skills

Students will be able to clearly present the main epidemiological concepts using appropriate scientific terminology, describe and interpret study findings, and discuss their implications for disease prevention and health promotion through lifestyle choices, particularly diet. These skills will be developed through interaction during lectures, journal club activities and discussion of the results of laboratory exercises.

Learning Skills

Students will develop the ability to independently expand upon the knowledge acquired, consult and critically interpret the epidemiological scientific literature, and update their knowledge and skills by using scientific sources and reference documents, including those published in English.

The course includes lectures aimed at providing students with theoretical and methodological knowledge, during which continuous interaction with students is encouraged, as well as classroom and laboratory-based practical sessions designed to apply the knowledge acquired, calculate and interpret the main epidemiological measures, and analyse public health issues related to lifestyle and diet. Journal club and laboratory activities, based on the critical appraisal of scientific articles and the use of tools and analytical methods in nutritional epidemiology, contribute to the development of independent judgement and the ability to interpret scientific evidence according to an evidence-based approach.

Should the course be delivered in a blended or fully online format, the necessary adjustments may be made to the teaching activities described above in order to ensure that the planned syllabus is covered.

• To measure the events; To study the cause-effect relationships; Epidemiological studies; Experimental epidemiology;
• Role of nutrition for the preventon of diseases using Evidence-based Prevention and Public Health approaches; 
• Characteristics and evaluation of diets: Mediterranean diet; high-protein diets; vegetarian and vegan diets;
• Nutritional characteristics of foods and their components; supplements, functional foods, nutraceuticals and micronutrients;
• Reference values ​​for the diet and reference intake levels for the Italian population;
• Evaluation of nutritional status by anthropometry;
• Nutritional surveillance tools and analysis of nutritional profiles;
• Molecular epidemiology and "omics" sciences applied to nutrition;

The course includes, in addition to lectures, also exercises / laboratories:

• nutritional status and anthropometric measures;

• design and analysis of nutritional surveillance data

• bibliographic research and critical reading of scientific articles;

• design and evaluation of nutritional epidemiology studies.

1. G. Gilli. PROFESSIONE IGIENISTA MANUALE DELL'IGIENE AMBIENTALE E TERRITORIALE. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

2. F Faggiano, F Donato, F Barbone. Manuale di Epidemiologia per la Sanità Pubblica. Centro Scientifico Editore

3. PL Lopalco, AE Tozzi Epidemiologia facile. Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore

Supplementary and Further Reading Materials

Throughout the course, additional texts and documents, mainly in English, will be recommended, including scientific articles, guidelines and institutional documents. These materials will support further exploration of the topics covered and critical appraisal of the scientific literature.

Oral examination

The oral examination aims to assess whether students have achieved the expected learning outcomes, with particular reference to their knowledge and understanding of the topics covered, their ability to apply the knowledge acquired, and their critical interpretation of epidemiological evidence.

The assessment will take into account the relevance and completeness of the answers, analytical and synthesis skills, the ability to establish connections between the different topics covered in the syllabus and provide practical examples, as well as clarity of presentation and appropriate use of scientific terminology.

The highest marks will be awarded to students who demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topics, the ability to integrate the knowledge acquired, effective communication skills and command of the subject-specific terminology, as well as independent judgement in interpreting epidemiological problems and scientific evidence.

The assessment may also be conducted remotely, should circumstances require it.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students who require support may request an individual meeting to discuss and arrange appropriate compensatory and/or exemption measures, in accordance with the learning objectives and their specific needs. Students may also contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participatory Inclusion – Services for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) representative in their Department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

The final grade will be expressed on a scale of 30, according to the following criteria:

• Fail (below 18/30): Insufficient knowledge of the fundamental topics, difficulty in applying epidemiological concepts, limited analytical skills and inadequate use of scientific terminology.

• 18–21/30: Basic knowledge of the topics, limited ability to apply concepts, modest analytical skills and ability to establish connections between the topics, with a sufficiently clear presentation.

• 22–25/30: Fair knowledge of the topics, ability to apply the main epidemiological concepts and establish connections between them, with a clear presentation and reasonably appropriate use of scientific terminology.

• 26–28/30: Good knowledge of the topics, ability to apply knowledge correctly to epidemiological problems, good critical analysis and integration skills, and clear presentation using appropriate scientific terminology.

• 29–30/30 with honours (cum laude): Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the topics, a high level of ability to apply and integrate knowledge, independent judgement in interpreting epidemiological evidence, excellent presentation skills and full command of scientific terminology. Honours may be awarded to students who demonstrate particularly in-depth knowledge and outstanding critical thinking and integration skills.

Epidemiological studies.

Measures of association in epidemiology.

The tools of nutritional surveillance.

Characteristics of the Mediterranean Diet.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

Comment and in-depth analysis of studies published in the relevant scientific literature