Teaching communication in the degree of nutrition science Current momentum and its evolution until the present day

Abstract

The path of the growing integration of communication sciences in the teaching of
Nutrition Science reflects the importance of providing nutritionists with communication skills that can
influence the behavior of individuals and populations to make informed and healthy food choices This paper aims to contextualize the progressive integration of the Communication Sciences field in
the teaching of Nutrition Science. We used, as a case study, the unit courses within Communication
and Project of Communication of the undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Nutrition and Food
Sciences of University of Porto. These two unit courses, which are seen as belonging to the
Communication Sciences field, are complementary, acting in a concerted fashion. Given the current
challenges of communication in the area of Nutrition, the teaching methods used in these unit courses
have sought to promote the realization of very diverse educational activities in real context. It is
intended that future nutritionists will be able to use communication formats and innovative nutrition
education models and, at the same time, might be effective to achieve the ultimate goal of contributing
to the awareness of the problem and for the changing eating behaviours among the population.