SE336-6-SP-CO:
Physical Activity, Nutrition and Cardio-Metabolic Disease
2023/24
Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
06 October 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
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 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.
1. To review relevant disease aetiology
2. 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.
3. To examine the likely efficacy and feasibility of physical activity and nutritional programmes in different patient groups.
4. To advance students’ understanding of effective behavioural change strategies, and the importance of utilising effective and empowering communication skills.
On successful completion of this module, the student will 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 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.
Syllabus
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.
-
Durrer Schutz, D.
et al. (2019) ‘European Practical and Patient-Centred Guidelines for Adult Obesity Management in Primary Care’,
Obesity Facts, 12(1), pp. 40–66. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1159/000496183.
-
Alberti, K.G.M.M., Zimmet, P. and Shaw, J. (2006) ‘The IDF consensus worldwide definition of the METABOLIC SYNDROME’,
Diabetic Medicine, 23(5), pp. 469–480. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2006.01858.x.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Case Study Report |
|
60% |
| Coursework |
Reflective Report |
|
40% |
Additional coursework information
Case Study -You should submit a structured report based on the interpretation of case study information and make relevant evidence–based recommendations for exercise, physical activity and dietary to help improve the individual’s health. The word count is an absolute 1500 restriction. The final reference list is not included in the word count. The report must be submitted to FASER by the published deadline.
Reflective Report-You should submit a report based on a role-play motivational interview and include critical reflections on 1) your communication skills and motivational interviewing techniques, and 2) the appropriateness of the lifestyle changes that you discussed with the ‘patient’. Final details will be provided by the module leader (as the structure may change). Maximum word count is 1000. The final reference list is not included in the word count. The report must be submitted to FASER by the published deadline.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Catherine Kerr, email: catherine.kerr@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Catherine Kerr
sres@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
No
Dr Jen Burbage
University of Portsmouth
Associate Head (Students)
Available via Moodle
Of 30 hours, 25 (83.3%) hours available to students:
5 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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