Food for a Healthy Planet (UNIB10009)

Food is a basic human need. But what should we eat? Not all food is good for us, and a balance between diet and exercise is required for a healthy life. Likewise, not all food production methods are good for the environment. Again, a balance between human needs and the health of our environment is required, especially as the world's population grows and global climate patterns change.

So how should we judge our food, nutritionally and environmentally? What do our foods contain? How much energy, water, labour etc. is used in their production, processing, and distribution? How does the food chain operate in developed and developing economies, and what does this mean for the future of food production locally and globally?

This subject will address these and other topical issues through the following content:

• Human dietary needs: energy, protein and vitamins
• Food composition: meeting dietary needs
• Food consumption trends: relationships with demographic and lifestyle changes
• Food production, processing and distribution: knowing where our food comes from
• Inputs to food production: how profitable and how sustainable?
• Global population growth: feeding the 10 billion
• Issues and challenges for sustainable and equitable food production and supply

Intended learning outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students will be able to:

• Understand global food supply, demand and nutrition in an inter-related multidisciplinary fashion
• Analyse global factors affecting food security
• Critically evaluate global food supply, demand and nutrition policies

Generic skills

This subject encompasses particular generic skills. On completion of the subject, students should be able to:

• Think critically and organise knowledge
• Derive, interpret and analyse information from primary and secondary sources
• Demonstrate both written and oral communication skills
• Participate in a discussion group and develop a logical argument to support a particular position
• Participate effectively as a member of a team
• Plan work, use time effectively and participate in small group projects