FCS 3340 : Human Nutrition - Putnam and Moe: Get Started

Students will be able to identify sources useful for background reading on their topics in order to develop a hypothesis.

Students will learn how to use certain databases to find studies related to their hypothesis.

Students will understand how to formulate a chart that summarizes their articles in order to easily compare those articles.

Students will use CSE style to properly cite their articles.

FCS 3340 Topic Review Assignments

You will be assigned one of the following current issue topics.  Do some reading and thinking about the topic and then formulate a hypothesis about it.  Then, find at least 4 recent peer-reviewed research papers that deal with the topic.  Read the research papers and submit a paper that summarizes your findings.  Format your paper as follows:

• Begin by stating your hypothesis and its significance.

• Provide a summary for each paper.  Each summary should contain clear descriptions of the following 5 items; it may be more helpful for comparative purposes to formulate a table for at least part of this information.   This section of the assignment should not exceed 4 pages.

1. Complete paper citation using CSE format;
2. The research question that was investigated;
3. Description of the research methodology;
4. Major findings of the study, especially as relates to item 2 above;
5. Key discussion points.

•  Finally, in light of your research on this topic via these papers, write a summary paper that indicates how your research supports or does not support your hypothesis, if your hypothesis should be reformulated and what type of additional research your group believes will help answer questions about your topic.   Note that this assignment is not intended to be a full research paper, but it does represent the type of research you would do write such a paper.

Your summary paper should not exceed 3 pages.  

• Use an 11 point font with 1.5 spacing and 1 inch margins. 

Evaluation: To earn a grade of A, your paper must include the review at least five research papers and provide a thorough summary of each.  Your conclusions should be thoughtful and demonstrate critical thinking. Your paper will be well-written and the research papers will be cited correctly. 

To earn a grade of B, your paper must include the review of at least four research papers and provide a thorough summary of each.  Your conclusions should be thoughtful and demonstrate critical thinking. Your paper will be well-written and all group members will contribute.  The papers will be cited with very few errors.

To earn a grade of C, your paper will have three or fewer research papers, and your summaries will be incomplete.  Your conclusions may be invalid or shallow or your paper will have significant writing errors.

   Current Issue Topics

Soy intake and cancer risk

High sugar intake and the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases

Regular skipping of breakfast

Red meat consumption and cancer risk

Red meat consumption and cardiovascular disease risk

Gluten-free diets and health and weight

Coconut and cardiovascular risk

Dietary supplements and weight loss

High protein diets and weight loss

Should we be eating more organic foods?

Should we be avoiding genetically modified foods?

Dietary recommendations for individuals with IBS

Protein requirements of endurance athletes

The metabolic syndrome and diet

The relationship of the Mediterranean Diet to health

Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet and health

Vegan diets, nutritional status and health.

Low serum levels of vitamin D and risk for problems not related to bone health such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes

Vitamin supplements and disease prevention

Dairy intake and disease

Chocolate consumption and health

Caffeine consumption (for non-pregnant adults) and health