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NFS 063
Obesity, Weight Control and Fitness
Fall 2016
TUES &THURS
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
8:30-9:45 AM
Rowell 103
Jean Harvey, PhD, RD
250 Carrigan Wing
656-0668
[email protected]
After class is generally the best time to find me. If you need to scurry off immediately
after class, just send me an email or talk to me before or after class and we can find
another time to meet.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will be able to:
1. Students will be able to read a variety of published literature on the topic of nutrition and critically
identify the main points and scientific evidence behind the articles.
2. Students will interpret graphs and charts related to obesity.
3. Students will define clinical obesity and understand its causes and consequences; both biological and
environmental.
4. Students will identify appropriate obesity treatment and prevention options.
EVALUATION
Exam 1 – Tuesday, Sept. 27th
Exam 2 – Thursday, Nov 3rd
Exam 3 – Final Exam, Tuesday, Dec. 13th
Subtotal
Quizzes
Pre-Lecture questions
Discussion Questions
Total
Points
100
100
100
300
100
50
50
500
Exam Policy:
Exams will be administered in class and collected at the end of class. Exam grades will be posted on the
course Blackboard site. With regard to final exams, the University final exam policy outlines expectations
during final exams and explains timing and process of examination period.
http://www.uvm.edu/academics/catalogue2013-14/?Page=allpolicies.php&SM=policymenu.html&policy=Exams
Quizzes:
Five pop quizzes will be given in class. Each quiz will be worth 25 points. I will drop your lowest grade so
you will only be scored on four of the five quizzes. There will be no make-up quizzes. Quiz grades are posted
on the course Blackboard site.
Readings:
There is no textbook for this course but there are a number of required readings. These readings are posted
on the course Blackboard website. The material from the readings will be incorporated into tests and quizzes
and we will also discuss the readings during class. I will never assign more than six readings per class, and
they are not that long. This is college, I want you to feel educated about this topic, and readings help achieve
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that goal. Some readings are from scientific journal articles, and will be heavily annotated by me during the
first section of the course, as you learn to get through this type of reading. If this is your first time reading a
journal article, start with the abstract, it’s a succinct summary of what the article says. Then read the
introduction section of the article. For this class you will mostly be able to skim through the methods and
results sections, as they are often written in technical language. If the article is especially interesting to you,
you may want to read these sections more carefully. Finally, pay special attention to the discussion section of
the article. The discussion section summarizes the major findings of a study, and most of the information you’ll
be held responsible for can be found in this section. Ask yourself what the main conclusion of the study was,
who the conclusion applies to, and what effect the results of the study will have in the real world, i.e. how can
the results be applied?
Pre-Lecture Blackboard Questions
Before each lecture I will post a pre-lecture question using the “survey” function in blackboard. The question
will relate to the readings for the upcoming class. You will need to answer the question before class begins.
You will not get points for being “right” or “wrong,” so don’t worry about that. You will get points as long as I
feel that you were valiantly trying to answer the question. Your answers do not need to be long, just to the
point. As I read through your pre-lecture responses I’ll be able to better sense how to focus the upcoming
lecture, and get a better idea of places where people are getting lost. You will get one point for each prelecture question you complete. PRE-LECTURE QUESTIONS MUST BE COMPLETED BY 8:00AM ON
TUESDAY OR THURSDAY mornings before our lectures.
Discussion Questions
For 10 of the 15 weeks of the semester, I will post a “Discussion Question” that will be related to the material
we cover in class or the readings you will do. Over the course of the semester, you will need to post a
response to TWO of these questions (20 points each). You will also have to post at least ONE response to a
classmate from their post during that SAME week. (5 points each). Posts must be made by 9 pm on Friday
during the week you decide you want to jump in. We don’t always have time to discuss everything we need to
in class. This is a way to have a discussion “off-line” on some of the pressing problems in the obesity
debate….”should we tax soda?” “Should we reimburse for obesity surgery”, etc.
Grades:
Be sure to check your quiz and exam grades on the course website immediately after they are posted. If you
wish to dispute or question your score, you MUST do this within one week of when the grades have been
posted. You can do this by talking with me or by writing up a short explanation of why you believe your answer
was correct and giving it to me within one week of grades being posted.
The grade cut-offs are as follows:
A+
> 98.0
A
93.0-97.9
A92.9-90.0
B+
89.9-88.0
B
87.9-83.0
B82.9-80.0
C+
79.9-78.0
C
77.9-73.0
C72.9-70.0
D+
69.9-68.0
D
67.9-63.0
D62.9-60.0
F
< 60.0
I have never had to “curve” the grades and there is no opportunity for extra credit. If you would like to contest a
grade, please follow the procedures outlined in this
policy: http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/student/gradeappeals.pdf
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Attendance and ACCESS Accommodations:
I expect you to be in class. The class notes are posted on the course website BUT they are only outlines.
The notes/slides will help you follow along in our discussion but they are not complete. You must be in class to
get the material. I will not be giving out my lecture notes. Therefore, if you miss class, you will need to
borrow notes from a classmate. Be forewarned that you also may miss a pop quiz. Athletes must give me
their competition schedule at the beginning of the semester or absences will not be excused. The official
policy for religious holidays is as follows: “Students have the right to practice the religion of their choice.
Each semester, students should submit in writing to their instructors, by the end of the second full week of
classes, their documented religious holiday schedule for the semester.” If you require special accommodations
for exams please give me your ACCESS letter in the first week of class. If you do not have it yet but know one
is coming, tell me that as well ASAP.
Classroom Etiquette:
I would like you to turn off your phones, iPods, iPads, and/or any other “e” or “i” device that will sing, dance,
vibrate or squeak during class time. However, I know you won’t, and if you did, some of you would go through
withdrawal. I do expect that you will be respectful, which means NO TEXTING during class (seriously,
this really, really, really bothers me because I’m old. Resist the urge.) I’d also appreciate it if you
refrained from answering calls during class (obvious), or playing whatever the latest game craze is…which I
never know because, as I said, I’m old. If you choose to use your laptop for note taking, that’s fine but be
advised that if I become distracted by your computer use, or others around you do during lecture I will
confiscate your computer until the end of class. While you may be sure you can multitask during class, you
can’t, and it’s potentially distracting to those sitting around and behind you if you are otherwise engaged (the
chat session you’re having with your hometown honey? Yes, everyone around you can read that). I don’t take
notes on my computer because I am too tempted to continuously check my e-mail. You may have better selfcontrol in this area than I do, but if you are worried, print out the slides ahead of time or bring a notebook, and
give your pens and pencils a workout. Just a note, we all think we have better self-control than we actually do,
and we all think we’re better multi-taskers than we actually are. Another note: research suggests you will
remember far more of the lecture if you take notes with a pen. Food for thought.
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Part 1: Who, What, Where Is Obesity?
Readings
8/30
Introduction/History of Obesity
None
What is Obesity?

Tues.
9/1
Thurs.



9/6
Who is Obese?
Tues.
9/8
Thurs.


Why Do We Care About Obesity? Morbidity and
Mortality




9/13
Tues.
Why Do We Care About Obesity? Weight Bias
and Childhood Obesity



9/15
How Do We Physically Get Fat?

Thurs.



9/20
Nature vs. Nurture

Tues.


Pietrobelli et al. – “Adipose Tissue and
Metabolic Effects: New Insight Into
Measurements”
“Patterns: For Heart Risk, No Telltale
Body Shape”
“Weight Index Doesn’t Tell the Whole
Truth”
“Waist Size Linked With Longevity”
Finkelstein et al., - “Obesity and Severe
Obesity Forecasts Through 2030“
“The World is Fat”
Orsini et al., “Combined Effects of Obesity
and Physical Activity in Predicting
Mortality Among Men.”
Phys Ed: Can You Be Overweight and
Still Be Healthy?”
“Modern Ways Open India’s Doors to
Diabetes”
“Texas Baby Weighs In At 16 Pounds, 1
Ounce”
Puhl et al., “Weight Stigmatization and
Bias Reduction: Perspectives of
Overweight and Obese Adults”
Domoff et al., “The Effects of Reality
Television on Weight Bias: An
Examination of The Biggest Loser”
“A Sitcom With More Than Empty
Calories”
Levine et al., “Interindividual Variation in
Posture Allocation: Possible Role in
Human Obesity”
“Twinkie Diet Helps Nutrition Professor
Lose 27 Pounds”
“The Claim: Lack of Sleep Increases
Weight”
“Lack of Sleep May Cause Obesity By
Affecting Brain’s Ability to Choose Healthy
Food”
Silventoinen et al., “The Genetic and
Environmental Influences on Childhood
Obesity: A Systematic Review of Twin
and Adoption Studies.”
“Genetic Excuse for Obesity is Myth: Fat
Gene Can be Beaten . . . In The Gym”
“Weight Problems May Begin in the
Womb”
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9/22
Thurs.
9/27

“Study Suggests Link Between a Type of
Virus, Obesity In Children”

Boone-Heinonen et al., “Fast Food
Restaurants and Food Stores”
“Forced to Be Fat”
“Money Is Tight, and Junk Food Beckons”
“A Big Salad Person Sets Up Shop in
Harlem”
Weight, Income, Public Food Programs: A
Look At How The Pounds Add Up”
Catch up/review before the exam (because I
always get behind….)
EXAM #1
Tues.
Part 2: What Factors Cause or Contribute to Obesity?
9/29
Society and Culture
Thurs.




10/4
Society and Culture

Tues.




10/6
Thurs.
10/11
Class Cancelled for Vermont Center on
Behavior and Health Conference
Big food

Tues.





10/13
Thurs.
The and Gordon-Larsen, “Entry Into
Romantic Partnership Is Associated With
Obesity”
“Placing Obese Children in Foster Homes
A Controversial Proposition”
“Nutritional Gatekeepers and the 72%
Solution”
Shimuzu_2014: “The effect of an eating
companions appearance on food intake”
Duncan 2015: “Parental perception of
child weight”
Eating – Toxic Food Environment and Sugar



Ludwig and Nestle, “Can the Food
Industry Play A Constructive Role in the
Obesity Epidemic?”
“Don’t End Agricultural Subsidies, Fix
Them”
“U.S. Touts Fruit and Vegetables While
Subsidizing Animals That Become Meat”
“McDonald’s to Make Happy Meals More
Healthful”
“Lawyers From Suits Against Big Tobacco
Target Food Makers”
Malhotra: “You can’t outrun a bad diet”
Wansink and Payne, “Eating Behavior
and Obesity at Chinese Buffets”
U.S. Children: Generation Snack”
“A New Name for High-Fructose Corn
Syrup”
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10/18
Eating – Fat and the Glorification of Overeating

“FDA Rejects New Name for HighFructose Corn Syrup”

Wansink and Wansink, “The Largest Last
Supper: Depictions of Food Portions and
Plate Size Increased Over the Millennium”
“One Bowl = 2 Servings. F.D.A. May Fix
That”
“Two Men With Imaginations Bigger Than
Their Stomachs”
Tues.


10/20
Physical Activity
Thurs.




10/25
Advertising

Tues.
Yes, there are a lot of readings for today; none of
them are scientific journal articles, so they’re all
relatively fast reads!




10/27
Schools

Thurs.


White – “Energy Expended By Boys
Playing Active Video Games”
“Do You Overestimate Your Child’s
Activity?”
“Stand Up While You Read This!”
“Why Exercise Won’t Make You Thin”
“Commercials Are the Culprit in TVObesity Link”
“Food For Thought”
“Trends in Television Food Advertising to
Young People 2011 Update”
“Making Children Hanker to Eat Broccoli
and Carrots”
“Promoting Nutrition, Disney to Restrict
Junk-Food Ads”
Hanks et al., “Healthy Convenience:
Nudging Students Toward Healthier
Choices In The Lunchroom”
“A Fresh Look at What School Menus
Can Be”
L.A. Unified Removes Flavored Milk From
Menus”
Part 3: What Can We Do About Obesity?
11/1
Diet, Exercise and Behavior Modification Part 1
Tues.
11/3

EXAM #2
Thurs.
11/8



Diet, Exercise and Behavior Modification Part 2
“Approach May Matter In Advice On
Weight”
“In Dieting, Magic Isn’t a Substitute for
Science”
Jensen & Ryan: “New obesity guidelines”
Alhassan: “Dietary adherence in the A to
Z study”
Tues.
11/10
Drugs and Surgery

Thurs.

Schauer et al., “Bariatric Surgery versus
Intensive Medical Therapy in Obese
Patients with Diabetes.”
“Weight Loss Surgery Requires
Discipline”
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11/15
Weight Loss Maintenance

Tues.



11/17
Childhood Obesity Treatment
Thurs.




11/29
Public Health Approaches Part 1

Tues.


12/1
Public Health Approaches Part 2
Thurs.





12/6,
12/8,
Catch up because I always get behind!
12/13
FINAL EXAM
Tues
1:30 pm, 103 Rowell
Reyes et al., “Similarities and Differences
Between Weight Loss Maintainers and
Regainers: A Qualitative Analysis”
Tara Parker-Pope, “The Fat Trap”
Gina Kolata, “After the Biggest Loser their
bodies fought to regain weight”
LookAHEAD Research Group: 8 year
weight losses
Cochrane Collaboration, “Interventions for
Preventing Obesity in Children”
“Focus on Early Childhood to Prevent
Weight Gain, IOM Report Says”
“When Children Are Overweight,
Changes For The Whole Family”
“Young, Obese and in Surgery”
Andreyeva et al., “Estimating the Potential
of Taxes on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
to Reduce Consumption and Generate
Revenue”
“In South Los Angeles, New Fast-Food
Spots Get a “No Thanks”
“Can Laws Fix the Obesity Crisis?”
“New York Plans to Ban Sale of Big Sizes
of Sugary Drinks”
“Obesity Ills that Won’t Budge Fuel Soda
Battle by Bloomberg”
“Potential Effect of the New York City
Policy Regarding Sugared Beverages”
“Pepsi Levies a Sin Tax on Its Workers”
Bleich_2015:”Surprising failure of calorie
counts in chain restaurants”
No readings!