Upon completion of this module students should be able to:
i. identify the policy and guideline documents used by dietitians to provide an evidence base for dietetic practice at each stage of the lifecycle
ii. describe and be able to calculate the nutritional and dietary requirements at each stage of the lifecycle: pregnant and lactating women, infants, children, adults and older people
iii. demonstrate knowledge of the common problems that require dietetic management throughout the lifecycle
iv. using the Nutrition Care Process and ADIME (assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation) model applied to case studies, devise dietetic care plans for commonly occurring dietetically managed problems that occur at each stage of the lifecycle; pre-and during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, in infants and children, adults and older people.
v. translate current nutrition guidelines into practical nutrition strategies
vi. demonstrate knowledge of sustainable development, sustainable food systems and identify nutritional considerations at each stage of the lifecycle related to plant-based and sustainable, healthy eating patterns.

Dietetics pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy and lactation
Infant feeding
Childhood feeding
Nutrition during adolescence
Dietetic management of older people
Food regulation and legislation
Sustainable food systems, sustainable development and nutritional considerations at each stage of the lifecycle related to plant-based and sustainable, healthy eating patterns

Not applicable to this module.

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

The first assignment in this module is to write a critical review of a topic relevant to dietetics through the lifecycle. Students are given early feedback on this to support their critical appraisal skills, vital to the development of an autonomous healthcare professional. Other assignments in this module support the preparation of the students for practice placement within the community healthcare environment. Assignment 2, the development of an information leaflet or infographic suitable for a specific group within the population is provided with feedback for consideration prior to undertaking such work within the practice placement setting. The multiple-choice and short questions in Assignment 3 consolidate student knowledge and feedback is provided to clarify misunderstanding or misinterpretation of guidelines relevant to the provision of nutritional healthcare in the Irish setting. The research into and presentation of a typical case to be managed in the healthcare setting aligned to the module learning outcomes at the end of the semester consolidates the students' learning and the feedback provided supports their preparation for the first (non-acute) practice placement.