Biopsychosocial Aspects of Eating Disorders and Obesity

3 units

This seminar examines the epidemiology, etiology, prevention, and treatment of body image, eating disorders, and obesity. An emphasis will be placed on understanding the characteristic symptoms of excessive dieting, body image disturbance, and binge eating, not only as formal psychiatric syndromes, but as a representation of disregulatory processes reflecting social-cultural, psychological, and biological disturbances. Students will also learn about the clinical characteristics, medical sequelae, and physical aspects of eating disorders and obesity. PREREQ: Psych 100B and junior or senior standing, plus 6 units of advanced home-based psychology courses.