Learning outcomes
The course analyzes the importance of a balanced diet for health throughout life and focuses on adulthood, highlighting the main risk factors (malnutrition due to excess/deficit, sedentary lifestyle, consumption of ultra-processed foods). The role of the Mediterranean diet as a reference model and the importance of regular physical activity to prevent obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and tumors are illustrated. The regulation of appetite (leptin, ghrelin, cortisol) is explored and tools are provided for estimating energy requirements (BMR, TDEE) through methodologies such as bioimpedance analysis and predictive formulas. The impact of nutrition on specific disorders and conditions is also discussed: obesity, type 2 diabetes, bone and cognitive health, drug-nutrient interactions. The role of the microbiome, personalized nutrition and environmental sustainability are discussed. A focus is dedicated to food labels (Nutri-Score, NutrInform Battery) and cancer prevention through healthy diet and lifestyles (European Code against Cancer).
