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Unit of study_
MBHT5003: Obesity and Pre-diabetes: Prevention and Care
2025 unit information
This unit of study will develop students' understanding of overweight, obesity and prediabetes, including related metabolic complications and implications from a public health perspective. It is suitable for students with either a clinical or non-clinical background. Current evidence and concepts in epidemiology, classification, and pathogenesis of overweight, obesity and prediabetes are addressed. Students will gain increased confidence in the evidence-based management of these conditions. An intensive focus on person-centred management of obesity and prediabetes follows, including lifestyle interventions in nutrition and exercise, engagement with behavioural and psychological approaches, and appropriate use of adjunctive therapies such as very low energy diets, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery. Negative impacts of weight stigma, challenges in sustainability of outcomes, and importance of weight (re)gain prevention will be discussed. Overweight, obesity and prediabetes will be explored using a personalised, case-based approach, with specific consideration of high-risk populations (e.g. children and adolescents, pregnancy, people with co-existing mental health issues, the elderly). Different health care delivery methods, multidisciplinary approaches to individualised care, and obesity and prediabetes at a community level are explored.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Metabolic Health |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Explain the pathophysiology and consequences of weight gain and obesity
- LO2. Identify persons at high risk of weight-related illness, and describe the goals of weight management interventions
- LO3. Explain obesity assessment and individualised weight management interventions
- LO4. Understand special consideration in assessing and managing obesity in specific populations, including pregnancy, mental health disorders, childhood and adolescent
- LO5. Define prediabetes, and describe the main components of a management plan
- LO6. Explain the importance of weight gain prevention, and rational for a systems approach
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2025
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Online | Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney | |
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Semester 2 2025
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Online | Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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