Detecting Nutrition Fraud and Misinformation

Course Description

Developed in partnership with The Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

In today's complex media landscape, staying informed about nutrition is more challenging than ever for both consumers and professionals. This course will help you build the essential skills needed when evaluating nutrition information and its many sources. Through expert-led lectures, you’ll learn to critically assess media messages, distinguish between credible evidence and misinformation, and understand who to trust—and why.

Detecting Nutrition Information and Misinformation is one of three related courses comprising a series of skills related to Assessing Nutrition Information. The series equips you with the essential skills to critically evaluate nutrition-related information, research, and media in today’s fast-paced world.  These courses are part of a portfolio of Nutrition related micro-credentials.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify misinformation and inaccurate information in order to inform decision-making
• Summarize the qualities of reliable health- and nutrition-related information sources
• Reflect on your own values, beliefs and biases when assessing information and its sources

Topics Covered:

• Understanding Your Nutrition and Media Worldviews 
• Separating Wheat From Chaff 
• Nutrition Misinformation: Whom Do We Trust and Why? 
• Casting a Critical Eye on Nutrition News & Information

Basic Enrollment Requirements:

 None

Completion Requirements:

This course is asynchronous learning. Learners will receive 8 weeks to complete the course and upon successful completion receive a digital badge.

Continuing Education Units for Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN): 

Assessing Nutrition Information: Detecting Nutrition Fraud and Misinformation awards 6.75 CPEUs in accordance with the Commission of Dietetic Registration's CPEU Prior Approval Program.