Identify a nutritional topic of interest that can be applied to a current nutritional issue
Identify information that addresses the nutritional issue
Analyze information for application to a defined population
Examine areas in which additional information may be needed to help a defined population address a nutritional issue
Recommend approaches to distribute the nutritional information to a defined population
Topics
You can use a variety of topics as the focus of your academic research paper. General topics include the following:

Identify macro- and micronutrients, their functions, and their effects on health and well-being.
Examine the differences in nutritional needs throughout the life cycle.
Explain the various factors that affect the safety of food products and the new technologies that affect food supplies.
If you’re interested in a specific topic, you’ll need to include the signs and symptoms and the relationship of these manifestations to the nutritional disorder. You’ll need to also focus on the treatment, the expected outcome of the treatment, measures to determine if the outcome has been reached, and any actions that can be taken to prevent the health problem.

Examples of specific topics include the following:

Application of nutrigenomics
Use of MyPlate with a vegetarian eating plan
Fluid balance through the lifespan
The impact of nutrition on the development of
Hypertension
Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Heart disease
Atherosclerosis
Protein-calorie malnutrition
Analysis of eating plans (fad diets) that restrict
Protein
Carbohydrates
Fats
What Is an Academic Paper?
An academic paper is a document that critically analyzes a specific topic. It begins with general information about the topic and then moves into the specifics. The specifics are explained by answering the “who, what, when, where, and why” about the topic. Some academic papers are written after a research study has been conducted. Others are written to support or refute a concept or idea.