410.608.11
Applying Systems Thinking to Obesity

Location
East Baltimore
Term
Summer Institute
Department
Health, Behavior and Society
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2019 - 2020
Instruction Method
TBD
Start Date
Monday, June 3, 2019
End Date
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Class Time(s)
M, Tu, W, Th, 8:30am - 12:20pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Anne Palmer
Contact Name
Anne Palmer
Contact Email
apalmer6@jhu.edu
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Description
Obesity is recognized as a complex public health problem and best understood by using systems thinking to address the issue. What do we mean by using systems thinking? Learn more about how systems science, thinking and approaches can be applied to prevent and reduce obesity rates.
Given the complexity of many public health problems, systems thinking is increasingly cited as an approach and competency needed to understand these problems. The field of obesity in particular has benefited from systems thinking, methods and modeling, however, the application of these methods remains in an inchoate stage. Students will explore various systems concepts such as leverage points, heterogeneity, complexity, adaptability, interdependence, and learn how those concepts have been applied in obesity and food system research. Students will learn which systems concepts are most useful for researching specific obesity topics and their limitations. Finally, students will explore how systems research concepts and models critically appraised and communicated with others so public health policy makers can exercise a greater degree of wisdom and insight.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe the origins of systems science, systems thinking, and systems approaches
  2. Identify characteristics of a system and major models (e.g. agent-based modeling, systems dynamics, social network) used to map variables related to obesity
  3. Explain the systems concepts, approaches and methods that are being used for obesity prevention and other public health issues
  4. Apply basic systems approaches to obesity development and prevention
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 10% Participation
  • 30% Reflection
  • 30% Quizzes
  • 30% Final Paper
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Consent Contact
apalmer6@jhu.edu
Jointly Offered With
Environmental Health and Engineering