Time Schedule:
Adam Drewnowski
NUTR 550
Seattle Campus
Integrates biomedical and social approaches to obesity and provides opportunities to design and evaluate strategies for obesity prevention and control. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. Offered: W.
Class description
The course will explore obesity and its complications from the standpoint of public health. The course is intended for graduate students in the health sciences. Prerequisites are graduate status, enrollment in a program in public health or other health sciences, or permission of instructor.
Student learning goals
Discuss the etiology and prevalence of obesity and its medical complications
Outline and evaluate key modalities for the treatment of obesity and eating disorders
List, discuss, and evaluate public health and policy approaches to obesity prevention and control.
General method of instruction
Lectures, case histories and discussion. The course is structured as a lecture/presentation course, with ample time for discussion. Course content is structured into 3 major sections: Etiology and epidemiology; Food environment, and Treatment and prevention. A list of readings is provided – additional readings and updates will be given during the course.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Grades will be based on written assignments and class participation with case study write-ups. Papers will focus on major topics covered in the courses, with specific topics selected by students in consultation with the instructor. Students will write two papers (8 – 10 pages) during the quarter. At the instructor’s discretion, a presentation may be substituted for the second (final) paper. Students are expected to attend each class and actively participate in classroom discussion. Students may be assigned brief oral presentations covering specific topics as part of these class discussions. It is essential for students to read the selected texts in advance. Grading will be based on: • Paper 1: 30% • Paper 2: 30% • Case Studies: 40% (5% for each of 8) An incomplete (I) grade can be assigned by the instructor, if, for justifiable reasons, the student cannot complete the assigned papers on time. Students may withdraw from the course without penalty during the first 2 wks. After that, a W (Withdrawal) will be placed on their transcript.
