EHS 350: Obesity & Weight Management

This course provides students with a broad understanding of the global epidemic of obesity and its health and economic consequences. Students in this course learn the scientific basis of energy balance, energy metabolism, and the regulation of body weights in humans. Students also receive and introduction to the fundamentals of the biology of appetite regulation and genetics of obesity. The critical independent and inter-related roles physical activity, healthy nutrition, and health behavior change have to prevent and reduce obesity in children and adults are emphasized throughout the course. Students also study psychosocial factors related to obesity and emerging strategies for obesity treatment such as pharmacological and surgical approaches. An important aspect of this course is the opportunity for students to obtain experience reviewing current literature on a selected topic related to obesity and weight management.