PE4S215 - Obesity in Relation to Disease, Genetics and Environmental Factors 01 Sep 2021 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PE4S215
Module Title: Obesity in Relation to Disease, Genetics and Environmental Factors
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Allied Health and Chiropractic
Faculty Sub Group: Clinical Services
Module Leader: Karl New
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100260 - healthcare science
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2021
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To develop a critical understanding of the medical, genetic, and environmental factors that can cause weight gain and obesity.

Content Summary

• Genes (e.g. FTO, LEP/POMC/MC4, PPAR-gamma ) and genetic conditions associated with obesity and obesity phenotypes (e.g. Bardet-Biedel syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome).
• Epigenetics and gene-environment interactions in relation to obesity
• Endocrine disorders and other conditions predisposing to weight gain and obesity (e.g. Cushing Syndrome, hypothyroidism and pregnancy).
• Drugs and their association with weight gain, including glucocorticoids, oral contraceptives and psychotropic agents.
• Environmental endocrine disruptors and other biological agents (e.g. viruses) and obesity.
• The gut microbiota

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 100
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of genetics, inherited conditions and gene-environment interactions linked with weight gain and obesity.
LO2 Demonstrate a critical understanding of selected medical conditions, drugs and other biological factors in relation to weight gain and obesity.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Online Assessment Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1 End of Module examination related to obesity in relation to disease, genetics and environmental factors 60 N/A 30 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Self Reflective Assessment 1 Reflective Journal 0 600 10 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Project 1 Completion of a group task related to obesity in relation to disease, genetics and environmental factors 0 N/A 20 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 Case based scenarios and discussion forum related to obesity in relation to disease, genetics and environmental factors 0 N/A 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1
Self Reflective Assessment 1
Project 1
Case study 1

Reading List

Frayn, K and Evans, R (2019) Human Metabolism: A Human Regulatory Perspective (4th Edition): Wiley-Blackwell.

Bray, G., Bouchard, C. (2014) Handbook of Obesity (Two-volume set): CRC Press