Skip to main content

340.738.11
Complex Systems and Obesity in Human Populations

Location
East Baltimore
Term
Summer Institute
Department
Epidemiology
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2013 - 2014
Instruction Method
TBD
Start Date
Monday, June 24, 2013
End Date
Friday, June 28, 2013
Class Time(s)
M, Tu, W, Th, F, 1:30 - 5:00pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Description
Introduce students to tools of theory building and data analysis in systems science to understand the obesity epidemic in human populations. Taught as seminar with emphasis on reading and discussion of key papers; also a mini-lab component in which students will build a simple model of food acquisition behavior using agent-based modeling on standard software (Vensim, PLE). Key aim is to examine the obesity epidemic at a population level as an emergent properties of complex, nested systems, with attention to feedback processes, sensitivity to initial conditions, and complex temporal dynamics. Will explore how approach can be applied to other non-communicable diseases both nationally and internationally. Topics : a) the epidemiology of obesity across time and place, b) theories for population obesity, c) basic concepts and tools of systems science, d) modeling biology in context, e) agent-based and systems dynamic models, f) use of systems tools for evaluation of policy
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Summarize current knowledge on the epidemiology of obesity across the life course and in different countries
  2. Review and critique major explanatory frameworks on the obesity epidemic including cultural factors, pricing and economic factors, globalization of food production, advertising and media, and environmental determinants.
  3. Characterize food production and delivery systems
  4. Review potential use of agent based models for evaluation of potential policy solutions to combat obesity
Special Comments

Can be taken in combination with Epi of Diabetes and Obesity (340.644).