Division of Human Nutrition
???Research???
The Division strives to provide postgraduate education renowned national and internationally: this will be achieved through the five master programmes (Master of Science in Food and Nutrition Security; Master of Therapeutic nutrition, structured or research stream; Master of Public Health Nutrition, structured and research stream and the doctoral degree in Nutritional sciences.
In addition, staff engage in collaborative supervision within the faculty, university and other national and international universities and research. The Division research areas appear in more than one faculty theme as indicated below.
Infectious diseases; Specialised Nutritional Support; Gastrointestinal Health; Maternal and Child Nutrition and Health; Specialised Nutritional Support; Food and Nutrition Security; Health systems strengthening; Monitoring, Evaluation and Policy; Primary Health Care; Food and Nutrition Security; Nutrition and Non-Communicable diseases; Food and Nutrition Security; Educational research and Evidence based Methodologies.
Rese?arch chair in Food Environments, Nutrition and Health
The research focus for the Chair focuses on Food Environments, Nutrition and Health. Food environments in the context of their influence and impact on the triple burden of malnutrition. Triple burden of malnutrition in this context refers to undernutrition, over nutrition, and consequent non-communicable diseases. Food environment includes household socioeconomic characteristics, food acquisition methods and resources. The research focuses on studying the relationships of biological, psychological, economic, social, cultural and political factors. The research outcomes from this program addresses Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 12 and 13 towards a better world for all by 2030.
Current Research Topics in Food Environments, Nutrition and Health programme that have been covered or under research includes:
- An Investigation of the extent individuals exercise their degree of autonomy or decision power with regard to food choice and environment
- Investigation of how climate change affects nutrition and food security.
- Investigation of differential decision making within household and in young adults around who eats what, how much, and when, based on age, gender, culture and other dynamics.
- Development of framework for promotion of indigenous food utilisation.
- Intervention studies on selected indigenous vegetables to determine their physiological mechanism of action in claimed medicinal purposes.
- Strategies for the promotion of plant based dietary approach.?
Research Them???es
?The Division has research as one of its key performance areas. The focus of the research is influenced by the 肆客足球 research strategy, the Faculty focus and well as the mandate of its parent Department of Global Health. The Division engages in research at various levels: undergraduate research, postgraduate research, staff and collaborative research.
The Divisional Research Thematic Areas are:
- Non Communicable Disease
- Food and Nutrition Security
- Maternal and Child Health
- Specialised Nutrition Support
- Infectious Diseases
- Food Labelling
With Subthemes:
- Health System Strengthening
- Evidence based ?methodologies
- Gastro Intestinal Health
- Education Research?
?
?Contact: Head of Division
Prof Xikombiso Mbhenyane
Email: xgm@sun.ac.za
