1. Home
  2. Peer Review: Human Nutrition

Peer Review

Human Nutrition

Reviewed:

Jul 17, 2025 by Health Sciences
Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating: 5.0 stars
Content Quality: 5.0 stars
Effectiveness: 5.0 stars
Ease of Use: 5.0 stars
Overview:

This textbook serves as an introduction to nutrition for undergraduate students and is the OER textbook for the FSHN 185 The Science of Human Nutrition course at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. The book covers basic concepts in human nutrition, key information about essential nutrients, basic nutritional assessment, and nutrition across the lifespan.

Type of Material:

  • Open (Access) Textbook
Recommended Uses:

  • Lecture
  • Team projects
  • Homework
  • Flipped classroom
  • Online education
  • Resource for the professional
Technical Requirements:

  • Internet access and web browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:

After completion of this learning activity, the learner will:

  • Describe basic concepts in nutrition
  • Describe factors that affect your nutritional needs
  • Describe the importance of research and scientific methods to understanding nutrition
  • Explain the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system and other supporting organ systems
  • Describe the relationship between diet and each of the organ systems
  • Describe the process of calculating Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Describe the importance of water intake for the body
  • Describe the major aspects of water regulation in the body
  • Describe the different types of simple and complex carbohydrates
  • Describe the process of carbohydrate digestion and absorption
  • Describe the functions of carbohydrates in the body
  • Describe the body’s carbohydrate needs and how personal choices can lead to health benefits or consequences
  • Describe the function, balance, sources, and consequences of the imbalance of electrolytes
  • Describe the effects and use of popular beverage choices
  • Describe the different types of simple and complex carbohydrates
  • Describe the process of carbohydrate digestion and absorption
  • Describe the functions of carbohydrates in the body
  • Describe the body’s carbohydrate needs and how personal choices can lead to health benefits or consequences
  • Describe the function and role of lipids in the body
  • Describe the process of lipid digestion and absorption
  • Describe tools and approaches for balancing your diet with lipids
  • Describe the role and structure of proteins
  • Describe the functions of proteins in the body
  • Describe the consequences of protein imbalance
  • Describe the process of alcohol metabolism
  • Describe the health benefits and health risks associated with alcohol consumption
  • Describe the body’s use, storage and balance of energy
  • Describe factors that contribute to weight management
  • Identify evidence-based nutritional recommendations
  • Describe the role of vitamins as antioxidants in the body
  • Describe the functions and sources of antioxidant micronutrients, phytochemicals, and antioxidant minerals
  • Describe the functions of vitamins in catabolic pathways, anabolic pathways
  • Describe the functional role, intake recommendations and sources of major minerals
  • Describe the functional role, intake recommendations and sources of trace minerals
  • Describe the purpose and function of nutrition recommendations
  • Describe steps towards building healthy eating patterns
  • Interpret the Nutrition Facts labels found on food items
  • Describe the purpose and use of the MyPlate Planner, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Guidelines and the Pacific Food Guide
  • Describe the physiological basis for nutrient requirements from pregnancy through the toddler years.childhood and adolescence, and stages in aadulthood
  • Describe the physiological changes that occur in response to exercise
  • Describe the effects of physical fitness on overall healthDescribe the purpose and applications of nutrition supplements
  • Describe the major types and causes of and contamination
  • Describe the purpose and process of food irradiation
  • Describe consumer-level techniques for avoiding foodborne illness
  • Describe the different types of diets
  • Describe the relationship between nutrition and health
  • Describe overnutrition, undernutrition, and malnutrition
  • Describe different careers in nutrition
  • Describe the different types of diets
  • Describe the relationship between nutrition and health
  • Describe overnutrition, undernutrition, and malnutrition
  • Describe different careers in nutrition

 

Target Student Population:

  • College General Ed
  • College Lower Division
  • College Upper Division
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

  • Basic computer skills to navigate to the textbook online. The textbook is presented in multiple formats and documents. For this review, the online version was reviewed.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

  • The OER Nutrition textbook includes outstanding images and diagrams!
  • Each chapter includes a great deal of content.
  • The table of contents is outstanding and super helpful for finding sources. This marvelous organization can smoothly promote student learning!
  • The content is accurate, thorough, well presented, and provides a solid foundation for general nutrition.
  • It is easy to navigate, and supported resources are included in each chapter. 
  • Content is grouped around major topics.  

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

  • The teaching/learning outcomes are clearly stated.
  • The textbook is so well organized, includes many visual representations, such as supportive tables and pictures, and is thorough that it increases the potential for student learning.
  • Practice key vocabulary words at the end of each chapter.
  • This text has the potential to be used in a variety of ways, including as a support text for other health sciences courses. 

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

  • Heading levels are set for accessibility.
  • Text is selectable.
  • Images and diagrams include alt text.
  • The navigation is clearly labeled and consistent throughout the book.
  • All of the site is in working order. 
  • The information is robust and presented in a logical manner. 
  • The user has the option of downloading the material, using it directly from the website, or purchasing a hard copy. Tables, graphs, pictures, and other visual support align with the written content and offer an added layer of learning potential. 

 

Other Issues and Comments:

Thank you for your outstanding scholarship!

Creative Commons:
creative-commonscreative-commons by