Food and nutrition is a dynamic field that examines the interplay between food intake, health, and disease prevention. As diets and food systems change globally, the role of nutrition in public health is more vital now than it has ever been. Using scientific components of biology, chemistry, and behavioral sciences, food and nutrition science examines how diet affects human health, metabolism, and disease prevention over time. In this article, we highlight different dissertation topics in food and nutrition that contribute to the development of public health and nutrition science.
Food and nutrition science has evolved from basic dietary recommendations to complex science about genetics, behavior, social and economic factors, and food systems. Food and nutrition science strives to answer complex, critical issues related to food, including obesity, malnutrition, food security, and the environmental and social consequences of dietary patterns and chronic disease prevalence. Technology has transformed the ways of researching food and health in food and nutrition science. We are experiencing greater awareness of personalized nutrition and sustainable food systems.
Nutrigenomics is the study of how genes and diet relate. By considering an individual’s genetic variance, nutrigenomics may open the door towards personalized nutrition and nutrition interventions that are more relevant to someone’s life. This dissertation will focus on nutrigenomics and its role in the management of chronic disease, with specific attention to diabetes and heart disease.
What genetic factors affect an individual’s rate of response to various dietary patterns?
Is nutrigenomics capable of improving personalized nutrition and health promotion strategies?
What are the risks and benefits of genetic testing in making nutritional recommendations?
Improve the understanding of personalized nutrition strategies for disease prevention and management.
Provide policy recommendations for the integration of nutrigenomics into public health policy.
Take ethical considerations related to genetic testing into account as part of nutrition research.
Ferguson, L. R. (2025). Nutrigenomics: A New Frontier in Personalized Nutrition. Journal of Nutritional Science, 33(4), 45-60.
Roberts, C., & Smith, L. (2024). Genetics and Nutrition: Implications for Health. Nutrition Reviews, 18(2), 78-95.
Probiotics, the live microorganisms that confer benefits to host health if delivered in adequate amounts, are receiving increasing attention as a key component in gut health. For this project, I plan to examine probiotics and their effects on gastrointestinal health, immune health, and disease protection associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
What is the effect of probiotics on gut microbiota and health?
What is the effect of probiotics on disease prevention and specifically gastrointestinal conditions?
How do probiotics compare to standard medications for gastrointestinal/ gut conditions?
Supply scientific evidence regarding health benefits for probiotics related to disease prevention.
Provide greater recommendations to encourage probiotics in dietary recommendations/guides for gut health.
Examine the policy for regulation, efficacy, safety of probiotics in the food industry.
Sanders, M. E., & Gibson, G. R. (2025). Probiotics and Gut Health: A Critical Review. Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 20(3), 60-80.
Hill, C., & Guarner, F. (2024). Probiotics: From Gut Microbiota to Clinical Applications. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12(1), 45-55.
Obesity is a serious public health issue, especially for low-income communities because their access to healthy foods is limited. This dissertation will analyze how socioeconomic status, food deserts, and lack of access to support are a contributing factor in the landscape of the obesity epidemic affecting underserved urban and rural communities.
In what ways do socio-economic indicators contribute to obesity in low-income communities?
What are the public health implications of obesity in these communities?
How can community nutrition initiatives deal with the original causes of obesity in low-income communities?
Evaluate the relationships between socioeconomics and obesity in the various communities.
Identify public health interventions and initiatives to reduce obesity in low-income underserved communities.
Provide recommendations to public health efforts to increase access to healthy food and education around healthy eating.
Smith, K., & Jackson, S. (2025). Socioeconomic Status and Obesity: A Public Health Concern. Journal of Public Health Nutrition, 21(2), 50-65.
Williams, J., & Brown, H. (2024). Obesity and Food Insecurity: Implications for Policy. Journal of Nutrition and Public Health, 12(3), 85-100.