Topic outline

  • Physical inactivity and obesity

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    The problems we are going to explore in this course are well outlined in these two quotes from the World Health Organisation (WHO) websites:

    Obesity "Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Once considered a problem only in high income countries, overweight and obesity are now dramatically on the rise in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings."

    Physical Activity  "Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Physical inactivity (lack of physical activity) has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality (6% of deaths globally). Moreover, physical inactivity is estimated to be the main cause for approximately 21–25% of breast and colon cancers, 27% of diabetes and approximately 30% of ischaemic heart disease burden."

    Aim of the course. Because of the relationship between obesity and physical inactivity, we are considering both in the course, which is designed to help understanding of not only the size of the problem, the causes, health effects and benefits of prevention and management of both issues through exercise and weight loss, but also to explore the relationship between obesity and physical inactivity.

    Getting started. The WHO has excellent resources on physical inactivity and obesity in different countries in their Global Health Observatory. You can explore interactive graphs and see the variation by country, WHO region and income group for Insufficient Physical activity and the variation by country and trends over time for adults, children and adolescents for Overweight and obesity.

    You might also want to explore the Global Observatory for Physical Activity and the Global Obesity Observatory where you will find more information about these two major Public Health problems.

    How to navigate the course. Click on the hyperlinks to take you to the resources in each section. You are also invited to reflect on the issues identified in the resources (click on the reflection links - you will then be able to post a comment if you wish, and see reflections of other students).

    Earn a certificate. All you have to do to earn a certificate is to download the resources and post a reflection in each section, and pass the quiz you will find at the end of the course.

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  • Physical inactivty and health

    At the end of this section, you should be able to appreciate the main ways in which physical inactivity may be measured, its extent and causal factors in the population, and its influence on health outcomes

  • Obesity and health

    At the end of this section, you should be able to appreciate the main ways in which obesity may be measured, its extent and causal factors in the population, and its influence on health outcomes

  • Physical activity and Obesity - are they related?

    At the end of this section, you should be able to appreciate the extent of the relationship between physical activity and obesity. The information may surprise you!

  • Evidence based interventions

    At the end of this section, you should be able to understand the evidence base used to guide policy in reducing the harmful effects of obesity and physical inactivity on health

  • Quiz and Certificate

    This section includes a quiz and is also for you to gain a certificate - this requires you to take and pass the quiz and to have downloaded the Resources in each section.

    We hope that you have enjoyed the course and found it useful!