- Docente: Enzo Spisni
- Credits: 6
- SSD: BIO/09
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
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Corso:
First cycle degree programme (L) in
Biology of Human and Environmental Health (cod. 5909)
Also valid for First cycle degree programme (L) in Biological Sciences (cod. 8012)
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from Feb 26, 2025 to Jun 12, 2025
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student knows the fundamental bases of nutritional science and can balance a nutritional plan prepared for healthy or athletic people, with regard to macronutrients. He knows the differences between the Western diet, the Mediterranean diet, vegetarian and vegan diets. He is able to attribute an overall environmental impact of diets in terms of greenhouse gas production, water consumption, land consumption and production of xenobiotics and eutrophic inorganic and organic substances. He knows the main food production chains, correctly and modernly evaluating their environmental footprint and sustainability. At the end of the course, the student can take part in research projects related to the environmental impacts of diets and to work in companies in the food sector, in collective catering facilities or within industries in the agri-food sector.
Course contents
Main topics
Human digestive system
The intestinal microbiota as a vulnerable environmental inheritance
Food and nutrients
Energy metabolism
Energy balance and regulation of nutrient intake
Evolution of nutrition in humans
Evolution of food consumption
Correct and incorrect food pyramids
Nutritional needs
Food, production chains and their sustainability.
Deeper into the following topics:
Ecological footprint of foods and different diets
Production chains and environmental sustainability
The ecological footprint of animal farming
The ecological footprint of industrial agriculture
Microplastic pollution.
Readings/Bibliography
Food, eating and nutrition: a multidisciplinary approach
Sabina Saccomanno and Licia Coceani Paskay
Edra Ed., 2024
ISBN:9781962679091
Food and Sustainability
Paul Behrens and Thijs Bosker
Oxford University Press, 2020
EAN: 9780198814375
Selection of recent scientific papers.
Teaching methods
Interactive lectures on PowerPoint presentations and seminars.
Assessment methods
Optional written exam at the end of the course. Oral exams on a monthly basis.
Teaching tools
PowerPoint presentations, scientific papers.
Office hours
See the website of Enzo Spisni