Module Directory

The incidence of obesity and associated conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes is rising. The module will review relevant disease aetiology and the relevance of risk factors such as insulin resistance, body fat distribution, atherosclerosis and inflammation. Physical activity and dietary factors are important in both the prevention and management of such cardio-metabolic diseases.

Students will i) critically examine the current evidence for physical activity and dietary approaches being effective in the treatment of cardio-metabolic disease, and ii) gain an understanding of the mechanisms which may explain such effects. There will also be opportunities to formulate physical activity and nutritional programmes and critically discuss their likely efficacy and feasibility in certain patient groups.

The aims of this module:

• To review relevant disease aetiology.


• To critically examine the current evidence for physical activity and dietary approaches being effective in the treatment of cardio-metabolic disease and provide an understanding of the mechanisms which may explain such effects.


• To examine the likely efficacy and feasibility of physical activity and nutritional programmes in different patient groups.


• To advance students’ understanding of effective behavioural change strategies, and the importance of utilising effective and empowering communication skills.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Identify and critically assess the evidence for physical activity and nutritional strategies being important in the prevention and management of cardio-metabolic diseases.


2. Demonstrate an understanding of the possible mechanisms explaining the relationships between diet, exercise, and cardiometabolic disease.


3. Synthesise relevant evidence for the efficacy and practical appropriateness of physical activity and/or nutritional interventions to manage the cardiometabolic disease, based on case study information.


4. Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of metabolic health parameters and a critical appreciation of their potential modification by lifestyle change.


5. Demonstrate reflective practice to critically review their communication skills when promoting healthy nutritional and physical activity behaviours to a client.

The module will allow students to advance their understanding of effective behavioural change strategies, and the importance of utilising effective and empowering communication skills, by applying their multidisciplinary knowledge and understanding to relevant case studies.

This module will be of interest to students who wish to pursue a career in public health or the fitness or personal training industry, and those who wish to undertake postgraduate study or research in the field of exercise, nutrition and health.

Indicative Content

• Introduction to the module: major cardio-metabolic health challenges.


• Body composition and disease: does it matter where fat is stored?


• Assessing cardio-metabolic risk.


• Obesity and health: can you outrun a bad diet?


• Effective weight loss and weight loss maintenance strategies.


• Type 2 diabetes: prevention, reversal, and management with diet and exercise.


• Changing individual's lifestyle behaviours: technology, motivational interviewing.


• Practical workshop: developing MI skills (case study approach).


• Insulin resistance, disease and lifestyle change.


• Which type of exercise is best for patients with cardio-metabolic disease? Does intensity matter?


• Sarcopenia, muscle mass and disease: role of exercise and nutrition.


• What works in practice? Current controversies, emerging technologies.

The module will incorporate a range of learning and teaching approaches including interactive lectures, workshops, seminars, assessments, panel debates, and practical work.

Lectures:

• 6 x 2-hour lectures.
• 3 x 2-hour workshops
  2 x 2-hour practicals.

Independent:
Independent study tasks will include reading and evaluating scientific articles in advance of lectures/workshops/practicals, directed further reading of relevant literature and fully engaging with the coursework assignments.

Online:
All lecture materials and relevant resources will be visible on Moodle to assist with the independent study tasks.

Tutorials:
There are opportunities for tutorials for formative feedback on draft proposals for case study reports. Tutorials will be student-driven in terms of content and format.