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Obesity and its Treatment

Prior knowledge

Biol5010, Regulation of Physiological Functions in Human Organism

Medi5003, Assessment of Nutritional Status

Course abstract

The objective is to provide opportunities for students to acquire knowledge on the etiology of obesity, the classification of obesity, the metabolic syndrome and the impact of obesity on health and survival.
The tasks of the course are to provide opportunities for students to acquire knowledge about the etiology of obesity, obesity classification, metabolic syndrome, the impact of obesity on health and survival.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge:
1) about the etiology, prevalence and treatment options for overweight and obesity;
2) about the risk factors for obesity and overweight, explain the importance of weight loss diets and other options (nutritional supplements, medication, bariatric surgery).
Skills:
3) to compare the most popular diet and nutrition recommendations based on scientific research; performs calculations with the required energy, nutrient combination and level of physical activity to reduce overweight and obesity;
4) develops and processes dietary menus to assess potential risks to weight gain and health.
Competencies:

5) to evaluate the compliance of an individual's diet with normal healthy body weight, critically argue recommendations for weight loss.

Course Content(Calendar)

Lectures
1. Obesity, its etiology and epidemiology. L2 S2
2. Obesity and related health risks. Metabolic syndrome. L2 S2
3. Metabolic syndrome. L2
4. Classification of obesity. Fat determination methods. L2 S2
5. Treatment of obesity. Comparison of weight loss diets based on evidence. Medical and surgical treatment of obesity. L2 S6
6. Obesity in children and adolescents. L2 S4
7. Strengthening weight reduction, because-of-effect prevention measures. S4
Seminars
1st seminar. Strengthen knowledge about diseases in the treatment of which emphasis is placed on weight reduction, diet examples.
2nd seminar. Options for medical and surgical treatment of obesity, possible side effects and contraindications.
3rd seminar. Practical aspects of obesity treatment for children and adolescents.

4th seminar. Strengthening weight reduction, because - because of the effect prevention measures, long - term plan evaluation.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Participation in seminars is mandatory.
The final rating of the study course will be resulted from the:
1) successfully passed 2 intermediate examinations;
2) defended presentations;

3) exam.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent work of students is organized individually and / or in workshops with the following tasks: preparation for seminars independently, mid-term examinations, final exam, study literature related to the course topics.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Assessment:
1) successfully passed 2 intermediate examinations (20%);
2) defended presentations (60%);

3) exam (20%).

Compulsory reading

1. Zariņš, Z., Neimane, L., Bodnieks, E. (2018) Uztura mācība. 7. izd. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds.

Further reading

1. Mann, J., Truswell, A.S. (2012) Essentials of Human Nutrition. 4th ed. Oxford University Press.
2. Mahan, L. K., Escott – Stump, S., Raymond, J. L. (2017) Krause's Food & the Nutrition Care Process. 14th ed. Elsevier.
3. Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition (2013) Edit. B. Caballero, L. Allen, A. Prentice. 3th ed. Elsevier.
4. Manual of Dietetic Practice (2013) Edit. B. Thomas, J. Bishop. John Wiley & Sons.
5. Lutz, C. A., Mazur, E., Litch, N. (2014) Nutrition and Diet Therapy. 6th ed. F. A. Davis.
6. Souci, S.W., Fachmann, W., Kraut, H. (2008) Food Composition and Nutrition Tables. 7th ed. MedPharm Scientific Publishers.
7. Manual of Dietetic Practice (2014) Edit. J. Gandy. 5th ed. Wiley.
8. Sigal, I., Merrick, J. (2014) Food, Nutrition and Eating Behaviour. Nova Science Publishers.

9. Shartava, T. (2011) Nutrition and Diet Research: Appetite and Weight Loss. Nova Science Publishers.

Periodicals and other sources

1. http://www.pennutrition.com/index.aspx
2. https://www.bda.uk.com/
3. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/
4. http://www.eatrightpro.org/

5. http://www.vm.gov.lv/lv/