WINONA LAKE – Grace College’s exercise science program recently announced it is adding a nutrition concentration for exercise science majors.
This new concentration will cater to students interested specifically in nutrition and health and is designed to prepare them for the licensing exams and graduate degree in dietetics or nutrition required to enter the field, according to a news release from Grace College.
“Nutrition is a field of enduring importance,” said Christina Walters, director of the Center for Movement & Wellbeing and exercise science program. “Everyone eats — but not all food is nourishing. Understanding nutrition means understanding how to fuel and care for the body wisely.”
The concentration will require a foundation of science courses, including biology and chemistry, as well as nutrition-specific courses, such as “Nutrition for Lifecycles,” “Nutrition for Sport Performance” and “Nutrition for Assessment & Counseling.” Students will also partake in experiential learning and internships, which could include working for Grace’s Center for Movement & Well-being.
“Our nutrition courses not only emphasize the science of food but also equip students to educate others on how to make informed choices and meet their nutritional needs,” said Walters. “We know from numerous studies that without a proper understanding of nutrition, individuals may jeopardize their well-being and increase their chance of illness.”
Leah Bos, a junior studying exercise science at Grace, is pursuing a career in functional medicine as a registered dietitian nutritionist. Bos was eager to enroll in the new concentration.
“God created our bodies in such an intricate way, but He did not stop there,” said Bos. “He also gave us so many resources in creation to help heal our bodies. Through this program, we learn about the human body and its processes through the lens of an all-powerful Creator! How cool is that?”
Grace’s exercise science program is founded on the belief God created the human body for activity and motion. Each course focuses on caring for the vessel God has provided his people to steward for His glory, stated the release.
“I believe God’s calling for all of us is to see His presence in every aspect of our lives and to steward the bodies He entrusted us,” said Walters. “That’s what we’re after in all four concentrations in the exercise science program at Grace.”
To learn more about Grace’s concentration in nutrition, visit https://www.grace.edu/programs/nutrition-degree/.