Nutrition Assessment
UndergraduateLTU-DTN2032026
Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 22 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $1,192
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Nutrition Assessment
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply principles of nutrition and dietary assessment, including quantitative and qualitative dietary analysis methods to population groups and individuals, and analyse the suitability of methodologies across a range of scenarios.
- Explain and evaluate methods used to measure and estimate energy balance, energy expenditure, physical activity and fitness, body mass, and body composition.
- Communicate physical and dietary assessment outcomes in a culturally sensitive, ethical, and honest manner to maintain the integrity and dignity of nutrition professionals and the individual.
- Recognise and assess own limitations and demonstrate the ability to refer to other professionals in accordance with nutrition professionals scope of practice and values.
- Evaluating Diet Adequacy of Individuals and Populations
- Nutrient Databases
- Food Guides
- Measuring Body Composition of Adults
- Energy Balance
- Scope of Practice
In this subject, you’ll develop essential knowledge and practical skills in nutrition assessment, equipping you to evaluate the dietary adequacy and nutritional status of individuals and populations. Through a deeper understanding of Nutrition Asessment as the first step in the Nutrition Care Process, you will explore a range of assessment techniques, including dietary intake analysis using nutrient databases, reference standards, and food guides, as well as methods for assessing body composition and understanding energy balance.
In addition to these technical skills, you’ll strengthen your ability to communicate nutrition assessment data effectively, while developing a clear understanding of professional identity and the scope of practice for nutrition health professionals. The subject highlights the importance of interprofessional collaboration and appropriate referral pathways in practice.
This subject includes professional learning, practical experiences or portfolio activities which contribute to the completion of the Career Ready AdvantageTM award.
- One 5-minute multimedia presentation (500 word equivalent) (15%)
- 1000 words per student equivalent group report on dietary assessment and analysis (25%)
- 1000 word equivalent referral letter to allied health professional and reflection on scope of practice (25%)
- One 1250 word lab report demonstrating knowledge and skills in nutrition assessment (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- LAT-HUN-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Food and Nutrition
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
and one of
LTU-HBS101-Introduction to Human Physiology (no longer available)
- LTU-HBS1HBA-Human Biosciences A
- LTU-PAM1HSF-Human Structure and Function
- LTU-ANP1001-Anatomy and Physiology 1
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Equivalent subjects
You won't be able to enrol into this subject if you've already successfully completed or currently enrolled in the following subject(s) as they are considered anti-requisites due to the similarity of the content.
Others
Prerequisites: Students must be admitted in the following course: HBFN
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed DTN2PNU (Principles of Human Nutrition) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
If DTN201 is required as core for completion of your degree you should not enrol in DTN203 as the subjects are incompatible.
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Please note DTN203 cannot be taken as an elective.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Food and Nutrition
UndergraduateLAT-HUN-DEG