THE SCIENCE OF OBESITY AND DIABETES
The science of diabetes and obesity as it correlates to the clinical setting. The history of endocrinology and discovery of insulin will provide the basis for understanding hormonal mechanisms controlling fuel metabolism and how these processes become dysfunctional in different disease states. Topics will include pancreatic and extrapancreatic control of metabolism, and diseases linked with obesity, including PCOS, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Lifestyle, medical, and surgical treatments of obesity and diabetes, including pharmacologic mechanisms of insulin and non-insulin diabetes therapeutics and bariatric surgery, will be highlighted. The public health perspective will shine light on societal factors that influence obesity and diabetes care. Provides an advanced scientific foundation with which to approach evidence-based care and treatment of individuals with obesity and/or diabetes.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: MED SC-M 810 , 811 , 812 , and 813 Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the prevalence of obesity and diabetes and discuss the impact of these conditions on health care costs Audience: Graduate 2. Describe the history of endocrinology and the discovery of insulin and illustrate how key scientific contributions have influenced the modern practice of medicine Audience: Graduate 3. Discuss the biology of digestion and calorie expenditure on weight regulation and the development of obesity. Audience: Graduate 4. Illustrate the interplay among neurological, microbiota, and hormonal effects driving insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Audience: Graduate 5. Illustrate the roles of insulin-sensitive tissues in the development of the pathological inflammatory, hyperglycemic, and dyslipidemic state(s) of obesity and diabetes. Audience: Graduate 6. Identify obesity-related diseases and syndromes, and discuss unique challenges these pose in the care of the obese/diabetic patient Audience: Graduate 7. Discuss the mechanisms behind pediatric obesity and summarize the effects on childhood development and ways to combat and prevent pediatric obesity Audience: Graduate 8. Identify the unique challenges in assessing the adult patient with obesity, including history and physical considerations as well as lab abnormalities commonly seen in the obese Audience: Graduate 9. Discuss the available lifestyle, medical, and surgical treatments for obesity and diabetes, demonstrating knowledge of the science behind these treatments Audience: Graduate 10. Identify ways that discrimination and prejudice of obese/diabetic patients exists and affects their care and outcomes Audience: Graduate 11. Explain the importance of communicating about obesity and diabetes with vulnerable patients, and ways to educate and prevent obesity in at-risk populations Audience: Graduate 12. Describe the role of education and community engagement in recognizing, treating, and preventing obesity Audience: Graduate 13. Synthesize acquired knowledge of basic science and population health implications of obesity/diabetes biology and treatment to design and defend therapeutic plans for real-life patient cases. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the prevalence of obesity and diabetes and discuss the impact of these conditions on health care costs Audience: Graduate 2. Describe the history of endocrinology and the discovery of insulin and illustrate how key scientific contributions have influenced the modern practice of medicine Audience: Graduate 3. Discuss the biology of digestion and calorie expenditure on weight regulation and the development of obesity. Audience: Graduate 4. Illustrate the interplay among neurological, microbiota, and hormonal effects driving insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Audience: Graduate 5. Illustrate the roles of insulin-sensitive tissues in the development of the pathological inflammatory, hyperglycemic, and dyslipidemic state(s) of obesity and diabetes. Audience: Graduate 6. Identify obesity-related diseases and syndromes, and discuss unique challenges these pose in the care of the obese/diabetic patient Audience: Graduate 7. Discuss the mechanisms behind pediatric obesity and summarize the effects on childhood development and ways to combat and prevent pediatric obesity Audience: Graduate 8. Identify the unique challenges in assessing the adult patient with obesity, including history and physical considerations as well as lab abnormalities commonly seen in the obese Audience: Graduate 9. Discuss the available lifestyle, medical, and surgical treatments for obesity and diabetes, demonstrating knowledge of the science behind these treatments Audience: Graduate 10. Identify ways that discrimination and prejudice of obese/diabetic patients exists and affects their care and outcomes Audience: Graduate 11. Explain the importance of communicating about obesity and diabetes with vulnerable patients, and ways to educate and prevent obesity in at-risk populations Audience: Graduate 12. Describe the role of education and community engagement in recognizing, treating, and preventing obesity Audience: Graduate 13. Synthesize acquired knowledge of basic science and population health implications of obesity/diabetes biology and treatment to design and defend therapeutic plans for real-life patient cases. Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027