Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Eating Disorder Nutrition Therapy (Face-to-Face)

NFS 4700-01

Course: NFS 4700-01
Credits: 2
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ASNS
CRN: 10041

Course Description

The study of eating disorders management and nutrition care. Topics will include eating disorders, medical complications, clinical care guidelines, basic pharmacology, clinical nutrition education, nutrition care planning, psychology of eating disorders, team collaboration, and nutrition counseling including motivational interviewing. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): NFS 2480 recommended Prerequisite(s): NFS 1020 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Nutrition Counseling in the Treatment of Eating Disorders
Herrin, M, EdD, MPH, RD, LD and Larkin, M., Med, RD, LD
Edition: 2nd   ISBN: 978-0-415-87103-7     Publisher: Routledge


Learning Outcomes

ACEND Requirements
No KRDN assessment assigned to this course

KRDN Covered in the Course: 1.1, 1.3, 2.2, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1
ACEND Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to understand and apply the following concepts: 

  • Define and understand the role of the Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist in disordered eating treatment
  • Gain a greater knowledge base of eating disorder diagnosis, presentation, and co-occurring mental and physical health challenges
  • Identify justification for different levels of care, in-patient, out-patient, etc
  • Understand the pathophysiology of refeeding syndrome and the primary risk factors of this life threatening condition
  • Develop counseling skills specific to eating disorders
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of Motivational Interviewing, its spirit, and essential strategies
  • Develop skills to teach clients how to foster interoceptive awareness and trust
  • Identify the connection between eating disorders and social media

Course Requirements


Assignments:

  • Completion of weekly summary pages of corresponding chapter in study guide or assignment supplemental articles (due each week Wednesday by 11:59 pm)
  • Each summary will be work 15 points 
  • Completion of 2 case studies by the posted due date on Canvas
  • Each case study will be worth 50 points 
  • Attendance points/ discussion points for attending and participating in each weekly class will be awarded (approx. 5 points per class) 
  • Total points for the semester= approximately 380 points 

Course Outline

Schedule

Week | Topic (Textbook pgs) | Assignments Required KRDN Assessment: 2.1, 3.2, 3.3, 5.1
1 | Overview of ED Types | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
2 | ED Diagnosis Criteria | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
3 | EDs- A Response to Stress, Social Media Influence | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
4 | ED Treatment Team & Roles | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
5 | Dietitian’s Role in ED Treatment | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
6 | Motivational Interviewing in ED Patients | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
7 | Types of Treatments for Eds- Inpatient, Outpatient, Groups | Case Study #1 DueCompletion Chapter/ Topic Summary
8 | Meal Planning & Weight Restoration | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
9 | Encouraging Behavior Change | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
10 | Assessing ED Treatment- When & How to Make Changes | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
11 | Medical Issues- Possible Permanent Complications of EDs | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
12 | Medical Issues- hormone problems, sleep disorders | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
13 | Working with ED Children & Parents | Case Study #2 DueCompletion Chapter/ Topic Summary
14 | Working with Non-Compliance, Denial, OCD | Completion Chapter/ Topic Summary
At the end of the semester, students will submit on Canvas the following Study Guide completed with notes from course lectures, discussions, and textbook (if required). 


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

  1. Tasks that are submitted late will be accepted for 7 days past the due date for a 50% penalty. After 7 days assignments will no longer be accepted.
  2. Computer problems are not an acceptable excuse for late submissions. 

Attendance Policy

  1. Your attendance and participation in class is expected and very beneficial in achieving a good grade in this class. Attendance points will be awarded for each class that is attended. 
  2.   Classes will be recorded & will be available if you email the instructor & ask for the link BEFORE class. If you turn in a summary of the recorded lecture, attendance points missed will be awarded. 

Use of AI

Students may use AI tools for ideas, clarifying challenging concepts or getting started on projects. Some acceptable uses include:

  • Sounding board (e.g. generating essay topics with ChatGPT, using Microsoft Word’s Smart Lookup or Copilot to find inspiration and related topics)
  • Creating outlines (e.g. using AI to structure an essay or presentation flow, using Microsoft Word’s Outline View with AI suggestions)
  • Providing definitions or explanations of complex concepts (e.g. using AI to explain a difficult theory or to find relevant information)
Documenting use of AI: It is necessary to document your use of AI in this course, using the following guidelines:

  • Clearly identify and cite AI-generated text (e.g. “The following paragraph was generated by ChatGPT/Microsoft Word’s Researcher tool/Copilot”)
  • Review, edit and ensure accuracy and originality of final submissions
  • AI-generated content should not exceed 20% of the total assignment length

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.