This major prepares students for careers in dietetics, nutrition, and related fields. Nutrition is the study of the action of biologically active components of food and their role in maintaining human health.
Nutrition is an applied science.
Drawing on aspects of chemistry, biochemistry and physiology, nutritionists study the role of nutrients, the body's requirements for nutrients throughout life, and the effects of inadequate intakes on health and well-being. Nutritionists also draw on the social sciences to study the social, economic, cultural, and psychological implications of food and eating. Dietetics is the application of knowledge about food and nutrition to help people achieve and maintain health throughout the life span. An important component of health care, dietetics involves helping people meet their nutritional needs in health and disease through diet counseling and nutrition support. Dietetics integrates knowledge of food, nutrition, management, basic sciences, and social sciences to improve the dietary intake and health of individuals and communities.