Introduction

The overriding theme of this module is healthy eating practices, with a particular focus on eating around exercise to enhance performance and the achievement of personal weight goals (loss, maintenance, or gain). This module will provide you with a grounding in basic nutritional principles. You'll learn how to apply critical thought processes to analysing current dietary trends and be able to give scientifically backed advice in regards to the advantages and disadvantages of common dietary practices.

Once you have finished this module, you'll be able to access and use appropriate data collection techniques, including food labels and online databases, to analyse a client's diet and make changes to help them achieve their weight and performance goals.

You will also be able to recognise situations that fall outside of your role and expertise as a personal trainer and be able to refer clients to appropriate professionals for further assistance.

The module combines theoretical knowledge with plenty of practical opportunities to embed knowledge.

We’ll cover:

• Scope of practice
• Nutrition guidelines
• Nutrition principles
• Dietary trends
• Performing dietary analysis

The fine print

This module relates to Graduate Profile Outcome (GPO):

• GPO 5 Apply a health and wellness framework and evidence-based nutrition principles to support a personalised exercise programme and recommend referral pathways to allied health professionals.

It supports Learning Outcomes (LO):

• 5.1 Demonstrate an understanding of how diet and exercise can impact on the success of client outcomes (1 credit).
• 5.2 Apply evidence-based nutrition principles to suit client goals and outcomes (3 credits).
• 5.3 Demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of common dietary practices (2 credits).
• 5.4 Use appropriate techniques for gathering nutritional data, and templates for summarising data (2 credits).
• 5.5 Analyse current client dietary practices and make appropriate recommendations for improvement (1 credit).
• 5.6 Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate referral options for nutritional advice/information (1 credit).

To ensure a smooth learning experience, we suggest starting this module at specific weeks.

Full-time students

We recommend starting the module in week 5.

• Hours of learning per week: Approximately 37.5 hours
  This includes 12.5 hours of self-directed fitness-based practical each week, time for assessments, self-directed study, note-taking, and completing the content on the NZIS online campus.
• Milestones: Nutrition Case Study Test due end of week 6, Nutrition Home Case Study Assessment due end of week 9.

Part-time students

We recommend starting the module in week 9.

• Hours of learning per week: Approximately 20 hours
  This includes 5 hours of self-directed fitness-based practical each week, time for assessments, self-directed study, note-taking, and completing the content on the NZIS online campus.
• Milestones: Nutrition Case Study Test due end of week 12, Nutrition Home Case Study Assessment due end of week 18.

Assessment

There are 2 assessments for this module.

• Nutrition case study test
• Nutrition home case study

Both assessments are open-book. You should allow 90 minutes to complete the case study test. The home case study requires you to find a suitable client to gather nutritional data from, analyse, and make recommendations. Your client could be a classmate, work colleague, friend, or family member. They will need to complete a food log over several days.

You can start the next module before submitting your Nutrition Home Case Study Assessment.

If you read the learning outcomes for this module carefully, you'll realise that it is quite focused on the practical application of nutrition. The assessments support this with case studies, data-gathering exercises, analysis, and referral exercises. To support you to excel in this module, you'll find activities throughout the learning content where you can practice the skills assessed in the 2 assessments.

Keep up your practical hours and check in with your SMART goals. You may wish to adapt your goals or add nutrition goals as you progress through this module.

Use the forums to get feedback and participate in group discussions

Remember you can continue to use general forums to seek feedback from your peers, or to report on your progress and/or challenges. Someone may be able to relate and can offer help.

To support your learning, we highly recommend participating in group discussions. These discussions are often centred around key learning points, important for assessment.

Need help?

As a personal trainer, you will play a valuable role in supporting and helping your clients with obesity, eating disorders, diabetes and more. To help you in this area, working alongside doctors or consulting a dietician to help your client achieve success in these areas should be considered. If you require support for yourself or your whānau/family, please get in touch with your tutor or some of the supporting links below.

Let's check how much you already know about nutrition.

What areas do you already feel confident with? What topics do you need to allow for extra study time?