Program Presentation
Eating behavior is an issue that creates greater interest and concern overtime, since the physical and mental health affectation of people is increasing day by day and so it presents a relevant role within it.
The brain has a set of mechanisms that motivate us to eat and drink and even induces the consumption of the type of nutrients that are needed for each moment. These mechanisms, such as emotions, cognition or motivation, can be influenced and/or altered by multiple factors. Psychopathology and psychotropic medications may affect eating behavior, either by increasing or decreasing food intake. The foods and nutrients that are ingested may also affect our emotional state and even alter the absorption of psychotropic drugs. In addition, this behavior is also directly influenced by the society in which we live: the standards of beauty highlighted in the media or even our closest environment can affect our self-esteem and, consequently, our patterns of eating.
All of these factors are important for those healthcare professionals in nutrition and psychology, for them to understand how eating behavior works and how to deal with it during consultation.
The Psychology and Psychopathology of Nutrition program aims to offer education in psychology and neuroscience applied to the field of nutrition to address all situations that you may find as a healthcare professional in day to day nutrition and psychology.
Who is the programme for?
The Specialization in Psychology and Psychopathology of Nutrition program is aimed at:
- Nutritionists who wish to specialize in the field of psychology in food and nutrition.
- Psychologists who wish to deepen their education on eating behavior.
- All those healthcare professionals who want to consolidate and/or expand their knowledge in the area of psychology applied to nutrition.
The Specialization in Psychology and Psychopathology of Nutrition program is the ideal supplement for those professionals interested in broadening their education in the Psychology of Nutrition.
Diploma
The successful completion of the Program will allow the student to obtain the degree of Specialization in Psychology and Psychopathology of Nutrition, issued by the University where he or she has registered.
Program Structure
The credit structure of the Psychology and Psychopathology of Nutrition program is shown in the following table. It should be noted that the duration is merely indicative, as the methodology followed integrates the knowledge and skills to be acquired in each part through integrative exercises of knowledge acquisition and internalization of project practices:
| CREDITSa | |
|---|---|
| Subjects | 15 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
a. The equivalence in credits may vary according to the university where he/she has enrolled. One (1) ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credit is equivalent to 10 + 15 hours. If the student is enrolled in a university that does not belong to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the relation between credits - hours may vary.
Duration
The program in Psychology and Psychopathology of Nutrition has 15 credits.
The duration of the program in Psychology and Psychopathology of Nutrition varies between 6 and 9 months, depending on the student's dedication. In this period of time, the student must have successfully passed all the evaluated activities and approved the Final Project, if any.
Objectives
General Objective
- Provide the healthcare professional with the tools to optimize nutritional and psychological care for their patients.
Specific Objectives
- Learning the fundamentals involved in neurological and psychological motivation, emotions and cognition, and how these have an impact on people’s diets.
- Analyzing the influence of the different elements - such as the media, the environment or family, among others - that can affect our eating behavior.
- Understanding how psychopathology and psychoactive drugs can interfere in eating behaviors and vice versa.
- Providing the professional with the tools that facilitate detecting and and taking action before an altered eating behavior.
Career Opportunities
Some of the careers in the Psychology and Psychopathology of Nutrition are as follow:
- Psychologists, nutritionists, physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals exercising their profession who wish to specialize in the field of psychology and psychopathology applied to the field of nutrition.
- Teachers in formal and non-formal education teaching programs.
- Advisors associated with sick people who have an altered eating behavior.
Note: practicing the profession is governed by the laws of each individual country.
Study Plan
The subjects of the Psychology and Psychopathology of Nutrition course aim to ensure that students acquire an overall idea of psychobiological and neurological foundations and eating behavior, as well as those influencing factors and existing disorders, for use by healthcare professionals to channel this knowledge into their performance as usual.
The corresponding subjects and credits of the program are shown in the following table:
| PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY OF NUTRITION | ||
|---|---|---|
| # | SUBJECTS | CREDITS |
| 1 | Neuroscience and Psychobiology | 4 |
| 2 | Psychology and Psychopathology within the Field of Nutrition | 4 |
| 3 | Mass Media Influence on Eating Behavior | 3 |
| 4 | Psychological Orientation in Nutritional Counseling | 4 |
| TOTAL | 15 | |
Note: The contents of the academic program may be subject to slight modifications, depending on the updates or the improvements made.
Management
Academic Administration
- Dr. Maurizio Antonio Battino. Biochemist researcher and professor at the School of Specialization in Food Science. Professor at the Polytechnic University of Marche. Scientific Director in the European University of the Atlantic.
General Academic Coordination
- Dr. Irma Dominguez. Doctor in Education by the Iberoamerican International University. Professor of the European University of the Atlantic.
- Dr. Laura Natalia Pérez. Doctor (Cum Laude) and Master's Degree in Cognitive Science and Language from the University of Barcelona, Spain. Academic Director of the Master’s Degree in Clinical and Health Psychology and teacher at the International Iberoamerican University in Mexico.
FUNIBER Training Scholarships
The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) periodically destines financial resources of an extraordinary nature for the FUNIBER Scholarships.
To apply, please fill out the information request form that appears in the FUNIBER website or directly contact the Foundation’s office in your country who will inform you if you need to provide any additional information.
Once the documentation is received, the Evaluation Committee will determine your application's eligibility for the FUNIBER Scholarship.