Obesity: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology and Consequenses

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to obesity as a disease, a public health challenge, and a field of research. Students will gain insight into how obesity is defined and measured in both clinical practice and research contexts.

The course offers an in-depth overview of the epidemiology, etiology, and pathophysiology of obesity, as well as its health, economic, and societal consequences. Emphasis is placed on genetic, metabolic, hormonal, pharmacological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity in both adults and children.

Students will explore the complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental influences, and examine the role of lifestyle, diet, and physical activity in the development of obesity. The course further addresses the complexity of energy balance and its components, and how these mechanisms regulate body weight.

Physiological and psychological mechanisms controlling appetite and eating behavior are presented and discussed, along with the development, anatomy, and function of adipose tissue. Finally, the relationship between obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes is explored in the context of the global obesity epidemic and its implications for public health.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should have acquired:

Knowledge

• in-depth knowledge of how obesity is defined, classified, and measured in clinical practice and research
• knowledge of obesity as a disease, a risk factor, and a global public health challenge
• an overview of epidemiological trends, prevalence developments, and societal changes related to obesity
• understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of obesity, including the relationship between adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes
• an understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of obesity, including the relationship between adipose tissue, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

Skills

• analyze and discuss the main genetic, metabolic, endocrine, pharmacological, psychological, and social causes of obesity in both children and adults
• evaluate the importance of diet, physical activity, and energy balance in the development and treatment of obesity
• explain the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors in the development of obesity
• apply knowledge of physiological and psychological mechanisms regulating appetite and eating behavior to assess obesity risk

General Competence

• be able to critically reflect on how obesity affects individual health, quality of life, and the economy of society
• understand the social and psychological consequences of obesity, including stigma, living conditions, and health inequalities
• be able to communicate professional knowledge about obesity and obesity-related diseases in a nuanced and ethically responsible manner
• be able to participate in interdisciplinary discussions on prevention, treatment, and societal interventions related to obesity

Lectures, discussion, practice, guidance. Mandatory attendance at lectures and mandatory group work with oral presentation.

If few students register for the course, learning activities can be changed.