The growth of personalised healthcare, based on a person’s unique genetic code, is just one of the outcomes from research into genetics and the human genome. Today, a quick search on the internet returns dozens of ‘at-home’ genetic test kits, promising to reveal anything from food sensitivity to cancer risk. However, there is a worrying lack of regulation surrounding these kits, with commercial considerations further muddying the waters.
Given the trend towards personalisation, it’s crucial that nutritionists and dietitians continue to provide safe, science-based advice to their patients and clients that encompasses this growing trend and ‘at-home’ genetic testing kits.
The St Mary’s University Nutrition and Genetics research group has developed a short course designed to support nutritionists, dietitians and all learners navigate this complex subject area.
Association for Nutrition Endorsed CPD
This course has been endorsed by the Association for Nutrition (AfN) for the continuing professional development of nutrition professionals. The AfN quality assurance mark identifies this activity as reputable, evidence-based training in nutrition science.
Association for Nutrition CPD Endorsement runs from 20th November 2020 to 19th November 2022.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners should be able to:
- understand and define key terms in nutrition and genetics (nutrigenomics vs. nutrigenetics vs. epigenetics vs. personalised nutrition)
- provide examples of gene-diet interactions and understand the basics of evaluating the scientific validity of such interactions
- apply this theory and provide personalised dietary recommendations in different mock scenarios
- understand and evaluate the differences between “good” and “bad” direct to consumer company reports and ethical issues associated with providing genotype-based dietary advice.
Learners will also get a pocket-sized reference guide.
"This workshop will benefit the public, by upskilling registrants in the evaluation of nutrition and genetics, supporting the debunking of misinformation that currently is prevalent in this area."Association for Nutrition independent assessor comments
Dates and times
This online interactive course will run from 1.30-515pm on:
Price
The cost of this course is £32.
Members of the following organisations will receive a 10% discount:
- NHS staff
- Association for Nutrition
- Nutrition Society
- British Dietetic Association
- Canadian Nutrition Society / Société Canadienne de Nutrition
- Hong Kong Nutritionists Society
- St Mary’s University Staff.
Students receive a 30% discount.
Course format
This course is 2.5 hours long (including two short breaks) and will be delivered ‘live’ online by Dr Leta Pilic and Dr Yiannis Mavrommatis.
Content
- 1.30pm: Welcome and course introduction.
- 1.35pm: Presentation One.
- Introduction and key definitions: what is DNA, gene, genetic variation and the central dogma of molecular biology?
- Nutrigenomics vs nutrigenetics vs epigenetics vs personalised nutrition – definitions and differences.
- 2.05pm: Live Q&A session on Presentation One.
- 2.15pm: Break.
- 2.25pm: Presentation Two.
- Definitions and examples of gene-diet interactions.
- Examples of scientifically valid gene-diet interactions based on Grimaldi et al. (2017) framework.
- Applied personalised nutrition: general recommendations vs personalised recommendations - highlighting the differences.
- 3.15pm: Live Q&A session on Presentation Two.
- 3.25pm: Break.
- 3.45pm: Live session with audience participation.
- Review of specific case studies.
- Examination and review of real-life direct-to-consumer genotyping reports.
- Discussion on ethical considerations in genotype-based personalised nutrition.
- 5.05pm: Final Q&A and closing remarks.
- 5.15pm: End.
Requirements
This course is open to all learners with an interest in nutrition and genetics, however, it would be particularly beneficial to individuals studying and/or working in the field of nutrition or dietetics.
Award
Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a certificate of attendance issued by St Mary’s University.
The Association for Nutrition (AfN) protects and benefits the public by defining and advancing standards of evidence-based practice across the field of nutrition and at all levels within the workforce. AfN CPD Endorsement is a quality mark awarded to activities which meet the high standards required by the AfN. This quality assurance mark enables Registered Nutritionists, Registered Associate Nutritionists, fellow professionals, employers and the public to identify reputable, evidence-based continuing professional development activities in nutrition science.
For more information about this course please contact the Short Courses team at:
Tel: 020 8240 4321
Email: shortcourses@stmarys.ac.uk