As a health or wellness professional, having a sound understanding of the science behind nutrition is crucial for giving clients and patients informed advice about longevity, vitality, and holistic disease management.

The Nutrition Science online short course from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), a part of Stanford Medicine, provides you with a foundation in nutrition as it explores the role of micronutrients and macronutrients in the body, and how this relates to human health in different contexts of human development.

Guided by the renowned Prof. Christopher Gardner, you’ll learn to interpret nutritional evidence and make nutritional assessments and dietary analyses. You'll also gain the insight to recognize the value of optimal nutrition in terms of preventative care, develop the skills to critically examine contemporary research, and ultimately earn a certificate of completion from the SCHE.

The Nutrition Science online short course is aimed at healthcare professionals, including medical doctors, occupational therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, and nurses, as well as lifestyle specialists such as nutritionists, fitness instructors, coaches, health educators, and food writers. The curriculum is designed to help these professionals grow in their current roles by providing them with the knowledge and frameworks to advise patients and clients on dietary plans for healthy living and disease prevention.

The importance of health education

Health and nutrition education has become increasingly recognized due to the advent of COVID-19. This nutrition course introduces learners to basic concepts of nutrition and how these concepts are linked to health. Modules cover the major nutrient groups and their role in human health, as well as the different methods of nutrition assessment, highlighting the importance of dietary and nutritional guidelines. Additionally, the course offers nutritional information which can be used to maintain a healthy diet and prevent disease.