Objectives and competences
1. Understanding and knowledge of basic theoretical principles of pathophysiology of overweight and obesity, nutritional needs of children and adults in different age groups, guidelines of management of obese children and adults, basic principles of treatment and prevention.
2. Learning the key skills of management of overweight and obese patients, determination of body mass index and some other markers of obesity as well as caloric needs and appropriate food composition and the approach to management, treatment and follow-up of these patients.
3. Comprehension of guidelines and management of comorbidities accompanying the obesity and the importance of disease prevention, at all levels of activities.
Content (Syllabus outline)
Students will learn theoretical bases of pathophysiology of overweight and obesity in children and adults, taking normal nutritional requirements in different childhood age groups and adults into account, become acquainted with the problem of obesity epidemic in developed world and in Slovenia, with the extreme obesity and metabolic syndrome, get knowledge about guidelines of management of obese children and adults as well as the comorbidities, accompanying the obesity. In addition, they will get some basic information about treatment of these patients with the emphasis on the preventive activities and the options of global management and prevention on national level.
Students are going to learn the practical principles of determination of nutritional status of children and adults. In addition, they will get the key skills in calculation of body mass index and its interpretation, calculation of caloric needs of different age groups as well as appropriate food composition. During the tutorial they will become acquainted with the basic principles of approach to the overweight and obese patients and with work in the Healthy nutrition group as well as with management of comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II. Finally, they will get some information about scientific work in the field of obesity.
Learning and teaching methods
• Lectures (auditory and e-lectures)
• Tutorial – practical work
• Individual work
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding:
1. Knowledge and understanding of basic theoretical principles of pathophysiology of obesity and overweight, nutritional needs of children and adults of different age groups, guidelines of obesity management, treatment and prevention.
2. Key skills in the field of obesity definition, calculation of caloric needs and appropriate food composition, determination of obesity markers, follow-up and treatment of obese patients, healthy life style promotion.
3. Knowledge in the field of management of patients with comorbidities, accompanying the obesity.
Readings
Obvezna/Mandatory:
1. Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, eds. Nelson textbook of pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders; 2019.
2. Rippe JM, Foreyt JP, eds. Obesity prevention and treatment. A practical guide. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2022.
Priporočena/Recommended:
1. Ahmad SI, Imam SK, eds. Obesity. A practical guide. Cham: Springer International Publishing Switzerland; 2016.
2. Gadde KM, Martin CK, Berthoud HR, Heymsfield SB. Obesity: pathophysiology and management. J Am Coll Cardiol 2018; 71: 69-84.
3. Močnik M, Marčun Varda N. Cardiovascular risk factors in children with obesity, preventive diagnostics and possible interventions. Metabolites. 2021; 11: 551.
4. Močnik M, Marčun Varda N. Cardiovascular risk factors in children. In: Chahine J, ed. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease. London: IntechOpen; 2022. p. 95-111.
5. Močnik M, Marčun Varda N. The role of cardiorespiratory fitness in children with cardiovascular risk. In: Sözen H, ed. Cardiorespiratory fitness - new topics. London: IntechOpen; 2023 p. 1-17.
Prerequisits
There are no specific prerequisites.
Conditions for fulfilling study obligations:
Active participation in a tutorial and preparation of seminar work is required for taking the exam.
