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Syllabus

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition

APN 745 – Overweight and Obesity – Spring B 2018

Credits - 3

Description

The epidemiology, etiology, and pathophysiology of overweight and obesity are examined. Complications in management of overweight and obesity are explored. Topics include public health, psychosocial and economic factors impacting overweight and obesity, current educational and theoretical models used to combat overweight and obesity, and emerging research on the causes of overweight and obesity.

Materials

Course materials provided in course. No additional materials required.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Program Outcomes

  • Define overweight and obesity in children and adults and explain key concepts relating to overweight and obesity to a variety of audiences.
  • Describe the prevalence and trends in child/adult obesity.
  • Develop materials to combat the impacts of overweight and obesity.
  • Analyze and communicate the medical, psychosocial, and economic costs associated with obesity in children and adults to a variety of audiences.
  • Compare obesity prevention and treatment approaches to evaluate their efficacy at the individual and community levels.
  • Propose and communicate new approaches to combat the incidence of overweight and obesity for a variety of audiences based on analysis of existing policy and regulations.

Course Outcomes

  • Convey overweight and obesity concepts and data to a diverse audience.
  • Describe the effects of external influencers such as social networks, community, and marketing on weight-related behaviors.
  • Assess the relative impact of nutrition and physical activity on weight status.
  • Formulate strategies for improving nutrition behaviors.

Assignments

5 Checkpoint Assignments: A series of short papers and activities intended to build skills necessary to succeed in the key assessments.

Key Assessment Part One, Professional Presentation: A 10-minute professional presentation for an organization detailing the obesity determinants, impacts, and possible interventions for a population group of the student’s choice.

Key Assessment Part Two, Educational Campaign: An educational campaign appropriate for the target population.

Capstone Portfolio: You will review the work that you have done and select a piece to place in your Capstone portfolio. You will upload that piece and include a brief reflection.

Discussion Board:

You will be required to participate in discussions. Initial posts are due on Sundays, and responses are due by Tuesday. If the initial post and response are not submitted within the discussion week you will be given a zero. Posts submitted after the discussion week will not be graded.

Your success in the course relies on robust discussion, critical thinking, and peer response. Weekly posts responding to prompts posed are meant to facilitate a deeper understanding of the broader themes of the course as well as enrich the readings, handouts, and lectures. Your initial response should be no less than 400 words. Peer-responses should be no less than 200 words and must be thoughtful, contain compliment as well as constructive criticism, and maintain a professional tone.

Specific statements about nutrition and health outcomes should be supported appropriately with citations of peer-reviewed research.

Furthermore, in regard to all assignments, please observe the following:

  • All assignments must be completed using AMA formatting where appropriate.
  • Written assignments should be double-spaced, using Times Roman, and a 12-font
  • All times refer to Eastern Time (ET).
  • All questions about assignments and all questions, in general, should be sent through email.

Writing Statement

As professionals in the field, you will consistently be expected to clearly and concisely articulate advanced concepts for diverse audiences at a variety of educational levels.

Graduate students are expected to produce their best quality work, including screening their work prior to submission for clarity, grammatical, spelling, formatting and mechanical issues.

While there is often a portion of each assignment’s rubric dedicated specifically to grammar, spelling, mechanics, and formatting, it is critical to understand that failure to submit work that has been adequately proofed may result in a reduction of points in other areas of the rubric. These may include, but are not limited to metrics rating professionalism or content knowledge and synthesis; work submitted in graduate courses should provide evidence of strategic reading, writing, and academic speaking skills essential for success in the discipline.




Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Discussion Board (8 @ 3 Points Each)24
Student Syllabus Contract 1
Checkpoint # 1: Obesity Trends4
Checkpoint # 2: Obesity Determinants4
Checkpoint #3: Nutrition Policy4
Checkpoint #4: Nutrition Interventions4
Key Assessment Part One, Professional Presentation25
Checkpoint #5: Nutrition Intervention Overview4
Key Assessment Part Two, Educational Campaign25
Capstone Portfolio 5
Total100

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Schedule

Weekly Dates

Week One: 2/28 – 3/6

Week Two: 3/7 – 3/13

Week Three: 3/14 – 3/20

Week Four: 3/21 – 3/27

Week Five: 3/28 – 4/3

Week Six: 4/4 – 4/10

Week Seven: 4/11 – 4/17

Week Eight: 4/18 – 4/22

Major Due Dates

Checkpoint #1: Obesity Trends

3/6

Checkpoint #2: Obesity Determinants

3/13

Checkpoint # 3: Nutrition Policy

3/20

Checkpoint #4: Nutrition Interventions

3/27

Key Assessment, Part One, Professional Presentation

4/3

Checkpoint #5: Nutrition Intervention Overview

4/10

Key Assessment, Part Two, Educational Campaign

4/17

Capstone Portfolio

4/22

Discussion Board

Every Sunday and Tuesday of Week 1 through Week 7.

Week 8 posts are due on the last Friday and Sunday of the term.

Week One: Introduction to Overweight and Obesity

Weekly Learning Outcomes

  • Define overweight and obesity using at least two measurement methodologies.
  • Explain trends in overweight and obesity.
  • Explain the roles of nutrition and physical activity as they relate to weight status.
  • Discuss at least two health conditions impacted by obesity.
  • Identify populations most at-risk for overweight and obesity and describe what makes them more susceptible to this health outcome.
  • Identify external influences, including individuals and culture, to understand how they affect weight-related behavior.

Lectures

Readings

  • World Health Organization. Obesity and Overweight. June 2016. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/
  • The GBD 2015 Obesity Collaborators. Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity in 195 Countries over 25 Years. New England Journal of Medicine. 2017;12 June.
  • Flegal et al. Trends in Obesity Among Adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. JAMA. 2016:315(21).
  • Ogden et al. Trends in Obesity Prevalence Among Children and Adolescents in the United States, 1988-1994 Through 2013-2014. JAMA. 2016:315(21).
  • Mozaffarian, D. Dietary and Policy Priorities for Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and Obesity: A Comprehensive Review. Circulation. 12 January 2016.
  • Tanumihardjo SA et al. Poverty, Obesity, and Malnutrition: An International Perspective Recognizing the Paradox. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007;107:1966-1972.
  • Dietary Guidelines 2015-2020. Chapter 3. The Socio Ecological Model. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/chapter-3/social-ecological-model/.

Assignments

Checkpoint #1: Obesity Trends

Discussions

Introductions and Nutrition versus Physical Activity

Week Two: Socioecological Determinants of Weight Status

Weekly Learning Outcomes

  • Discuss at least one factor at each level of the Socioecological Model (SEM) that impacts on weight status
  • Apply the SEM to describe the impacts of obesity determinants on a specific population group
  • Describe at least one intervention at each level of the SEM that has been developed to address the issue of obesity

Lectures

Readings

  • McLeroy, et al. An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health, Education & Behavior. 1988.
  • Tate NH, et al. Sociocultural influences on weight-related behaviors in African American adolescents. Western Journal of Nursing Research. 2015:37(12);1531-1547.
  • Ohri-Vachaspat P, et al. The relative contribution of layers of the Social Ecological Model to childhood obesity. Public Health Nutrition. 18(11), 2055–2066.
  • Alebshehy R, et al. Determinant Analysis of Obesity among Adult Females in Egypt. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine. (October 2016) Vol. 65, Page 662- 669.
  • The Community Guide. Obesity. https://www.thecommunityguide.org/topic/obesity.

Assignments

Checkpoint #2: Obesity Determinants

Discussion

Technology and Obesity

Week Three: Nutrition Policy and Food Insecurity

Weekly Learning Outcomes

  • Define food insecurity and its impact on weight status.
  • Discuss how Federal nutrition policy decisions impact on nutrition practices.
  • Describe the impacts of nutrition policy and food insecurity on a specific population group.

Lectures

  • Week 3 Introduction
  • See course in Blackboard for supplemental video

Readings

Assignment

Checkpoint # 3: Nutrition Policy

Discussion

Recommendations for Nutrition Guidelines or Programs

Week Four: Nutrition Interventions

Weekly Learning Outcomes

  • Compare and contrast potential nutrition interventions appropriate for a specific population group.
  • Describe settings appropriate for nutrition interventions for a specific population group.
  • Discuss the facilitators and barriers to potential nutrition interventions.
  • Define the resources needed to implement selected nutrition interventions.

Lectures

  • Week 4 Introduction

Readings

Assignments

Checkpoint #4: Nutrition Interventions

Discussion

Nutrition Interventions

Week Five: Application of Weight Status Determinants and Interventions

Weekly Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Describe the weight status of a selected population group.
  • Present socioecological determinants of obesity to a selected population group.
  • Identify opportunities for nutrition intervention for a selected population group.
  • Present nutrition education research to a professional audience.

Lectures

  • Week 5 Introduction

Readings

Assignments

Key Assessment Part One, Professional Presentation

Discussion

Evidenced-based Intervention Proposal

Week Six: Nutrition Education to Impact Weight Status

Weekly Learning Outcomes

  • Identify appropriate nutrition messages for a specified population group.
  • Identify dissemination channels for nutrition messaging for a specific population. group.
  • Draft outlines of planned nutrition educational materials.

Lectures

  • Week 6 Introduction

Readings

  • Gold A, et al. Classroom Nutrition Education Combined With Fruit and Vegetable Taste Testing Improves Children’s Dietary Intake. J Sch Health. 2017 Feb;87(2):106-113.
  • Eun Lee J, et al. Development of tailored nutrition information messages based on the transtheoretical model for smartphone application of an obesity prevention and management program for elementary-school students. Nutrition Research and Practice 2017;11(3):247-25.
  • Lee J et al. Development of a Food Safety and Nutrition Education Program for Adolescents by Applying Social Cognitive Theory. Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2016 Aug;7(4):248-60.
  • Uesuge KH, et al. Design of a Digital-Based, Multicomponent Nutrition Guidance System for Prevention of Early Childhood Obesity. J Obes. 2016;2016:5067421.
  • Au LE, et al. Online and In-Person Nutrition Education Improves Breakfast Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors: A Randomized Trial of Participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016 Mar;116(3):490-500.
  • Hatfield DP, et al. The critical role of communications in a multilevel obesity-prevention intervention: Lessons learned for alcohol educators. Patient Educ Couns. 2017;100 Suppl 1:S3-S10.
  • Wu HW and Backman D. Restructuring a State Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Program: Implications of a Local Health Department Model for SNAP-Ed. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. 23(1):e28–e36.

Assignment

Checkpoint #5: Nutrition Intervention Overview

Discussion

Lessons Learned from Nutrition Education Efforts

Week Seven: Application of Nutrition Education to Impact Weight Status

Weekly Learning Outcomes

  • Design appropriate nutrition materials for a specified population group.

Lectures

  • Week 7 Introduction

Readings

Assignments

Key Assessment Part Two, Educational Campaign

Discussion

Share and Critique Educational Campaign Materials

Week Eight: Reflections on Nutrition and Obesity

Weekly Learning Outcomes

  • Evaluate the course content as a whole
  • Discuss how nutrition impacts on weight status
  • Discuss nutrition education approaches to impact weight status

Lectures

  • Week 8 Introduction

Readings

  • Provider Competencies for the Prevention and Management of Obesity. June 2017.

(https://bipartisanpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Provider-Competencies-for-the-Prevention-and-Management-of-Obesity.pdf)

Assignments

Capstone Portfolio

Discussion

Provider Competencies for the Prevention and Management of Obesity

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Applied Nutrition page

UNE Libraries:

UNE Student Academic Success Center

The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:

Information Technology Services (ITS)

  • ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Policies

AMA Writing Style Statement

In keeping with the requirements of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course and is available at both UNE libraries under the title "AMA Manual." Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in AMA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the Turnitin Student quick start guide.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Attendance Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.

Late Policy

Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations.  Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final.  Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.