Department of Nutrition

About the Department of Nutrition

Welcome to the Department of Nutrition. The department offers one undergraduate and two postgraduate programmes in the field of Human Nutrition. The undergraduate programme is registered with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Upon completion of an undergraduate programme, graduates register as Nutritionists with HPCSA. The purpose of the programmes is to train health professionals who will meet the 21st century nutritional needs of the population using preventative measures.

Vision
To be a leading provider of quality community-based, primary health care focused education for rural and regional development.

Mission
The Department of Nutrition is committed to developing quality Nutrition professionals through problem-based, interdisciplinary teaching and learning, underpinned by community engagement and research.

Head of Department

Head of Department: Mushaphi Lindelani Fhumudzani
Designation: Senior Lecturer and Head of Department

Dr. Mushaphi Lindelani Fhumudzani is a Senior Lecturer in community nutrition. She is serving as Head of Department. She has worked in the institution of higher learning for 19 years. Her research interest is maternal and child nutrition, indigenous food system, micronutrients nutrition and non-communicable diseases. Her recent publications: (1). Mbhenyane, X.G., Seanego, A.M., Amey, A.K., Mabapa, N.S., Mushaphi, L.F., Mbhatsani, H.V. and Mandiwana, T.C., 2017. Dietary patterns and BMI status of adult women in greater Letaba municipality, South Africa. Journal of Consumer Sciences. (2). Mushaphi, L.F., Mahopo, T.C., Nesamvuni, C.N., Baloyi, B., Mashau, E., Richardson, J., Dillingham, R., Guerrant, R., Ambikapathi, R. and Bessong, P., 2017. Recommendations for infant feeding policy and programs in Dzimauli region, South Africa: results from the MAL-ED birth cohort. Food and nutrition bulletin, 38(3), pp.428-440. (3). Mokganya, M.G., Mushaphi, L.F. and Tshisikhawe, M.P., 2019. Indigenous preparation and preservation methods of selected indigenous wild edible vegetables of the Vhembe District Municipality. Indilinga African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, 18(1), pp.44-54.

Dr Lindelani Mushaphi

Programmes

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NUTRITION (FOUR YEARS)
First Year Level
– Orientation to the Nutritionist Profession & study skills (RNT 1841)
– English communication skills (ECS 1541)
– English communication skills (ECS 1642)
– Nutritional Physiology (RNT 1843)
– Food Chemistry (RFD 1842)
– Meal Planning and Preparation (RFD 1844)

Second Year Level
– Nutrition in growth and Development (RNT 2841)
– Nutritional assessment and care process (RNT 2842)
– Principles of community Nutrition (RCN 2843)
– Nutrition communication, Promotion and Advocacy (RCN 2844)
– Food biotechnology safety & policy development (RFD 2845)
– Integrated Internship (RNI 2846)

Third Year Level
– Nutrition and disease prevention (RNT 3841)
– Nutrition programming (RCN 3842)
– Nutrition epidemiology & applied research (RRM 3843)
– Public health nutrition (RPH 3844)
– Integrated internship (RNI 3845)

Fourth Year Level
– Nutrition Seminar (RSN 4841)
– Research project in Human Nutrition(RRN 4842)
– Integrated Internship and nutrition management (RNI 4881)
– Integrated Internship and Public health nutrition (RNI 4882)
– Integrated Internship and Community nutrition (RNI 4883)

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN COMMUNITY NUTRITION
Compulsory/core modules
– Community Nutrition & Social Development (RCN 5541)
– Nutritional Epidemiology (RNE 5541)
– Nutritional Assessment (RNA 5541)
– Nutrition Intervention Strategies, Project Planning & Management (RCN 5641)
– Advanced field Practicum (RNP 5741)
– Social perspectives of Public Health Nutrition (RPH 5541)
– Advanced topics in Public health Nutrition (RPH 5641)

Electives
– Micronutrients and Disease Prevention (RMP 5521)
– Maternal Nutrition, Early Development & Aging (RMN 5521)
– Nutrition and Sports (RSN 5641)
– Special topics in Human Nutrition & Seminar (RSP 5621)
– Nutrition Management of Chronic diseases (RNT 5621)
– Food Laws and Policy Making (RFL 5621)
– Nutrition Computing (RNC 5621)

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC NUTRITION
Compulsory/core modules
– Research in Human Nutrition (RRN 6741)
– Research Methodology (RRM 6541)

PhD in Public Health Nutrition

Department Projects

– Malnutrition and Enteric diseases- A multicultural-site study, MAL-ED Birth Cohort study in the Dzimauli region.

– Eating habits of people in Limpopo province

– Exclusive breastfeeding practices of mothers who gave birth in MBFI

– DST funded project; Nutraceutical flagship (edible Indigenous and traditional plants): Led by CSIR a consortium between CSIR, ARC and UNIVEN

– DST-funded project: Agro processing of traditional edible and medicinal plants: Makonde project led by ARC, a corsotium between UNIVEN, ARC and DoA Limpopo province

– Iodine project collaboration between MRC, UNIVEN and Netherlands University

Community Engagement

The Department is working with various communities and radios stations regarding community engagement. Students are exposed to rural communities around the Limpopo province to work with poor resourced communities. The Department works with the following Radios stations: Mala FM, Sekgosese FM, Hlanganani FM and Univen Radio to educate the communities about nutritional messages.

Students at the Malamulele Radio station after a talk

Was this Helpful ?
Yes 25 No 2