Course Overview
Nutrition is the science that interprets the interaction of nutrients and other substances in food in relation to growth, health and reproduction of organisms. Dietetics on the other hand is concerned with food diets and its effects on human health especially through application of scientific understanding of nutrition. Professionals in this field may be referred to as nutritionists or dieticians among other titles. Nutritionists and dieticians and are nutrition and food experts who advise people on what to eat for them to lead a healthy lifestyle or even achieve a specific health-related goal with respect to those suffering from nutrition or lifestyle diseases.
With prevailing food and nutritional problems affecting populations both in developed and developing nations like Kenya, human nutrition continues to occupy a central role in health sciences. Addressing this need requires training professionals with skills and knowledge to provide services in various settings to help solve health and nutritional problems associated with nutrition and food inadequacies at the individual, family and at the community levels. The Bachelor of Science in Food Nutrition and Dietetics is a four year course that has been developed to address this need. The curriculum of the course addresses current issues related to foods, nutrition, dietetics with additional agricultural sciences designed to equip students with understanding of issues related to food production and food supply at home and national level.
The uniqueness of the course aims to produce professionals well grounded in areas of nutrition, dietetics and nutrition as well as in agricultural sciences an essential component towards proper utilization of food and food security as well. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will have developed professional competencies in the areas of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, which will help them, improve the health and nutrition status of the people they will serve. In addition they will be able to provide advice on proper food choices to individuals or communities to promote healthy eating, prevent malnutrition or manage diet related conditions. Graduates may find employment in areas such as; Private and Government Hospitals, ministries of Health, Non-government organizations (NGOs), Agriculture and Hospices among others. Graduates can also use their skills to start their consultancy businesses such as food service delivery or even as diet counsellors to individuals or groups with diet related ailments among other specializations.
Entry requirement
For self sponsored students, at least a mean grade of C+ in KCSE. For Government sponsored students, the minimum cut point which is announced annually applies. The students should in addition have good performance in the following cluster Subjects; Subject 1 BIO, Subject 2 CHE, Subject 3 MAT A or PHY or GEO, Subject 4 ENG/KIS or 3rd GROUP II or a GROUP III or any GROUP IV or any GROUP V
Becoming a nutritionist or dietician
If you are interested in healthy eating and want to start a career that can help people improve their wellbeing through healthy eating habits, then pursuing this course may be a good choice for you. In addition, you should be prepared to develop skills that can help you grow and succeed in this field.
Nutritionists have excellent analytical skills that enable them keep up to date with the latest nutrition research as well as being able to interpret scientific studies and translate nutrition science into practical eating advice. They are also compassionate people as part of their work involves caring and helping clients address dietary issues and any related emotions. Nutritionists are good listeners who must listen carefully to understand clients’ nutrition concerns and goals and offer appropriate advice. They also have good interpersonal skills that enable them work well with other healthcare workers to improve the health of patients through constructing eating plans.
Nutritionists are highly organized for instance self-employed nutritionists need to schedule their appointments and maintain patient files requiring them to have good organizational skills. Solving client’s dietary needs requires professionals in this field to have good problem solving skills which enable nutritionists determine the most appropriate food choices for a client to improve overall health or manage a disease. These professionals are also effective communicators as they must explain complicated nutrition topics in a way that people with less technical knowledge can understand besides clearly explaining eating plans to patients and other healthcare professionals involved in a patient’s care
Work environment.
Graduates of this course may work in diverse environments including; nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, cafeterias, offices, field among other environments.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course can find work in both government and the private sector. They can be employed in Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics establishments including the ministries of Health, Agriculture, Private and Government Hospitals, Hospices, Non-government organizations (NGOs) dealing with nutrition and other community service oriented organizations. Graduates can also start their own business in food service industry or become diet counsellors to individuals or groups with diet related diseases.
You may explore these courses
Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology
Bachelor of Science in Food Service and Hospitality Management
Bachelor of Technology in Institutional Catering and Accommodation