The event tests participants' knowledge of such obscure facts as how vitamin A gets metabolized to such commonplace information as how many calories are in a gram of carbohydrates.

The only Nutrition College Bowl in the nation, the event is designed to encourage an enthusiasm for learning, a spirit of teamwork and a sense of community among students enrolled in nutrition and food science programs at colleges and universities across the region.

"It's the perfect blend of flavors--nutrition, education, competition," said family and consumer sciences professor Terri Lisagor, coordinator of the contest. "We hope participants, whether they win or lose, come away with a sense of community, a sense of purpose and a sense of excitement regarding this field of study."

The competition is slated to begin at 9 a.m. in the Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics in Sequoia Hall near the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

Eight teams are scheduled to compete, representing Central Washington University, CSU San Bernardino, UC Berkeley, Pepperdine University, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State University and CSUN.

The winning team will be awarded $1,000 and a trophy to display at its home campus until next year's competition.

For more information about the Nutrition College Bowl, call the Marilyn Magaram Center at (818) 677-3102, e-mail magaram.center@csun.edu or visit the center's Web site at http://hhd.csun.edu/magaram.