DIETOTERAPIA NELLE DIVERSE FASI DELLA VITA

Module Gynecology and obstetrics

At the end of the course, students should have acquired basic knowledge of the main physiological and metabolic changes occurring throughout the different stages of a woman’s life and their nutritional implications, with particular reference to reproductive age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, and the main gynecological and obstetric conditions in which nutrition plays an important role in prevention and therapeutic support.

Knowledge and understanding
Students should know:

• the main physiological, hormonal and metabolic changes occurring during the different stages of a woman’s life;

• nutritional requirements during the preconception period, pregnancy and breastfeeding;

• the general principles of healthy nutrition during pregnancy and the prevention of the main nutritional deficiencies;

• the role of nutrition in the prevention and management of common obstetric conditions, with particular reference to overweight and obesity, excessive or inadequate gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy;

• metabolic changes associated with menopause and the role of lifestyle and nutrition in the prevention of cardiovascular, metabolic and osteoporotic risk;

• the main relationships between nutritional status, fertility and reproductive health.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students should be able to:

• recognize the main nutritional needs of women at different stages of life;

• identify conditions requiring specific nutritional intervention;

• interpret the main anthropometric and clinical parameters used to assess nutritional status;

• apply the acquired knowledge to the definition of an appropriate dietary approach during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause, within the limits of professional competence;

• collaborate with gynecologists, midwives and other healthcare professionals in the multidisciplinary management of women.

Making judgements
Students should develop the ability to critically assess individual nutritional needs, distinguish physiological conditions from those requiring further clinical or specialist evaluation, and use the main scientific evidence to support professional decision-making.

Communication skills
Students should be able to communicate the main nutritional recommendations clearly, accurately and effectively to women at different stages of life, adapting their language to the clinical context and to the characteristics of the patient, and promoting adherence to healthy lifestyles.

Learning skills
Students should acquire the tools needed to independently update their knowledge through the consultation of major guidelines and scientific literature in the field of nutrition applied to gynecological and obstetric health.

Teaching activities are mainly based on lectures, integrated with the discussion of representative clinical cases and the analysis of care situations related to the different stages of a woman’s life.

During the lessons, the main physiological, clinical and metabolic aspects of gynecological and obstetric interest are presented, with particular attention to their nutritional implications and to the role of the dietitian within a multidisciplinary approach.

Teaching is supported by multimedia presentations, summary schemes, updated guidelines and scientific documents. When appropriate, students are involved in the discussion of simple clinical scenarios aimed at promoting clinical reasoning, practical application of knowledge, and integration between clinical and nutritional aspects.

Basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology is required, with particular reference to the female reproductive system, together with fundamental notions of biochemistry, metabolism and human nutrition. Knowledge of the general principles of pathophysiology and of the main metabolic changes occurring during the different stages of life is also useful.

Attendance at teaching activities is mandatory in accordance with the regulations of the Degree Programme. Students are required to attend the minimum percentage of classes established by the programme regulations in order to be eligible to take the final examination.

• Anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system.

• Main hormonal and metabolic changes throughout the different stages of a woman’s life.

• Reproductive age and reproductive health.

• Nutrition, body weight and fertility.

• Preconception period: main nutritional requirements and prevention of nutritional deficiencies.

• Physiological pregnancy: maternal changes, nutritional requirements and gestational weight gain.

• Principles of healthy nutrition during pregnancy.

• Overweight, obesity and pregnancy.

• Gestational diabetes: clinical and nutritional aspects.

• Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the role of lifestyle.

• Breastfeeding: physiological changes and maternal nutritional requirements.

• Menopause: hormonal and metabolic changes.

• Nutrition and prevention of cardiovascular, metabolic and osteoporotic risk during menopause.

• Main gynecological conditions in which nutritional status and lifestyle may have clinical relevance.

• Multidisciplinary approach to women’s health and the role of the dietitian.

The recommended learning resources include university textbooks of Gynecology and Obstetrics, teaching materials provided by the lecturer, updated national and international guidelines, and consensus documents concerning women’s health, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. For nutritional aspects, scientific documents and recommendations issued by major scientific societies and healthcare institutions are also used.

Learning outcomes will be assessed through an oral examination.

The examination is aimed at evaluating the student’s level of knowledge and understanding of the topics covered during the course, with particular reference to the physiological, hormonal and metabolic changes occurring throughout the different stages of a woman’s life and their nutritional implications.

During the oral examination, the following aspects will be assessed:

• knowledge of the main gynecological and obstetric topics covered during the course;

• ability to relate clinical aspects to nutritional needs at different stages of a woman’s life;

• ability to apply acquired knowledge to simple clinical situations;

• accuracy and appropriateness of scientific terminology;

• ability to present, summarize and reason about the topics discussed.

The final grade will be expressed on a scale of 30. A minimum grade of 18/30 is required to pass the examination. Honors may be awarded to students who demonstrate complete and in-depth knowledge of the topics, strong ability to integrate and critically discuss the acquired knowledge, and particularly clear presentation skills.

Examples of questions that may be asked during the oral examination:

• What are the main physiological and metabolic changes occurring during pregnancy?

• What are the main nutritional requirements during pregnancy?

• What is the recommended gestational weight gain and which factors influence it?

• What are the main risks associated with overweight and obesity during pregnancy?

• What is gestational diabetes and what is the role of nutrition in its management?

• What are the main hormonal and metabolic changes occurring during menopause?

• What is the role of nutrition in the prevention of cardiovascular and osteoporotic risk during menopause?

• What are the main nutritional requirements during breastfeeding?

• What is the relationship between nutritional status, body weight and fertility?

• Which nutrients are particularly important during the preconception period?

• Which obstetric conditions may particularly benefit from nutritional intervention?

• Describe the multidisciplinary approach to the nutritional management of women throughout the different stages of life.