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Unit of study_

MBHT5003: Obesity and Pre-diabetes: Prevention and Care

Semester 1, 2023 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study will develop students' understanding of how to effectively manage overweight, obesity and pre-diabetes. It will facilitate increased confidence in the prevention and practical management of these conditions. Current evidence and concepts in epidemiology, classification, and pathogenesis of overweight and obesity and prediabetes and related public health issues are addressed. An intensive focus on state-of-the-art patient-centred management of obesity and prediabetes follows, including patient engagement with behavioural and psychological approaches, lifestyle interventions in nutrition and exercise, bariatric surgery, medication options and regimens, and sustainability of outcomes. Overweight and obesity, as well as prediabetes will be explored with a personalised, case-based approach. Different health care delivery methods, team-based approaches to individualised care, and obesity and prediabetes at a community level are explored.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MBHT5003
Academic unit Metabolic Health
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sarah Parry, sarah.parry@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Victoria Rudland, victoria.rudland@sydney.edu.au
Sarah Parry, sarah.parry@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Graded Quizzes
Online Multiple Choice Question Quizzes
20% Multiple weeks 30 minutes each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Short Answer Question
Short answer question
10% STUVAC
Due date: 04 Jun 2023 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Case Discussion 1
Case study
15% Week 05
Due date: 26 Mar 2023 at 23:59
1 primary response and 2 peer replies
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO1 LO2
Assignment Case Discussion 2
Case Study
15% Week 09
Due date: 30 Apr 2023 at 23:59
1 primary response and 2 peer replies
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6
Assignment Written Debate Essay
Essay
40% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO8 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Written Debate Essay: Students are required to write an essay based on one of the listed topics.
  • Case discussions: Students are to detail what they see as the main priorities for the initial assessment and management for each case provided. 
  • Graded quizzes: Each module in the unit of study includes a quiz comprising of multiple choice questions. 
  • Short Answer Question: Students are required to review learning material and then provide a response to a Short Answer Question. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1.1: What is Obesity and Why is it a Problem? Online class (10 hr) LO1
Week 02 Module 1.2: physiology of weight gain/loss Online class (10 hr) LO1
Week 03 Module 2.1: Deciding the Appropriate Outcomes and Initiating a Weight Management Intervention Online class (10 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 04 Module 2.2: the basics of an effective weight control program Online class (10 hr) LO4
Week 05 Module 2.3: Obesity as a Behavioural/Psychological Disorder Online class (10 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 06 Module 2.4: Medical/Surgical Interventions Online class (10 hr) LO4
Week 07 Module 3.1: Managing Obesity in Children and Adolescents Online class (10 hr) LO6
Week 08 Module 3.2: Managing Obesity in Pregnancy and Fertility Issues Online class (10 hr) LO5
Week 09 Module 3.3: Managing Obesity in Persons with Mental Health Disorders Online class (10 hr) LO5
Week 10 Module 4.1: Prediabetes - Definition and Measurement Online class (10 hr) LO7
Week 11 Module 4.2: Managing Prediabetes and Preventing Transition to Diabetes Online class (10 hr) LO7
Week 12 Module 5.1: Prevention of Weight Gain, Obesity and Prediabetes Online class (10 hr) LO8
Week 13 Module 5.2: Public Health Focus Online class (10 hr) LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to participate in an online workshop either by attending live or watching a recording in the week following the workshop. Canvas analytics will be used to monitor participation.

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Provide participants with a clear understanding of the definition, development and consequences of weight gain and obesity
  • LO2. Guide participants to define the appropriate outcomes of weight management interventions
  • LO3. Enable participants to identify persons at high risk of weight related illness
  • LO4. Provide participants with the skills and tools to plan, initiate and review weight management interventions
  • LO5. Enable participants to tailor intervention to address specific weight management issues that arise with different conditions
  • LO6. Guide participants on the application of weight management principles in children and adolescents
  • LO7. Explain the condition of prediabetes, its definition and assessment and the appropriate process of management
  • LO8. Provide participants with an understanding of the spectrum of obesity management and the importance of weight gain prevention

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey, Workshop Evaluation Survey and the Unit of Study Evaluation Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

 

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances

  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory

  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories

  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door

  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory

  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.