Nutrition Science: Obesity and Healthy Weight Loss

Offered By: University of Aberdeen via FutureLearn

Course Description

Overview

Learn theories in human nutrition and weight management

According to NHS Digital, in the year 2019/2020, over 1 million hospital admissions were linked to obesity.

On this four-week course, you’ll reflect on the role of nutrition in influencing weight gain as well as the lived experience of obesity to truly understand the different contributing factors.

You’ll also have the opportunity to enhance your ability to analyse current and developing theories in human nutrition and weight management.

Explore global obesity trends

You’ll discover the epidemiology trends in obesity and also understand the major lifestyle contributors to obesity and weight gain in society.

You’ll examine the principles of nutrition and critically evaluate the evidence base for nutrition guidelines.

Unpack the challenges of obesity treatment and prevention

As you explore the contributors to weight gain, you’ll also discover the many challenges for the prevention and treatment of obesity and how these can be overcome.

You’ll examine the dietary strategies on body weight management and the physiological and psychological bases of weight gain. With this knowledge, you’ll have the ability to evaluate what affects weight wellness.

Understand the barriers and enablers of weight loss management

To understand the impact on longer-term weight management, you’ll explore the barriers and enablers to post-weight loss management.

This will help you describe both the strengths and limitations of weight loss methods as you evaluate these with supporting evidence.

You’ll hear from health care professionals, clinicians, and people living with obesity to ensure you finish the course with greater knowledge and empathy of the causes of weight gain.

This course is for anyone with an interest in health, which would include allied health professionals, those working in health care or the food system, who are actively looking to enhance their CPD.

Syllabus

Prevention of Obesity and Overweight

Welcome to the Course
Is Obesity a Disease?
How do we Measure Obesity?
Is it all in the Genes?
The Science of Food Choice and Behaviour
End of the Week Summary

Weight Loss Diets

Welcome to week 2
Popular Diets and Dieting Myths
Clinical and Patient Perspective
End of the Week Summary

Non-Nutritional Aspects of Weight Loss

Welcome to Week 3
The Role of Physical Activity and Sleep
Alternative approaches in body weight managment
End of the Week Summary

Weight Loss Maintenance

Welcome to Week 4
Time of Eating
Obesity - Personal or State Responsibility?
Post Weight-Loss Wellness
End of Week Summary
End of Course Video

Taught by

Alex Johnstone (Lead Educator)