Obesity

OBESITY/HNRC 300VH-003
TUESDAYS, 3-4:15 p.m., FALL 2020
GEAR 243

Interested? Apply for Obesity here. Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2020.

“To say that obesity is caused by merely consuming too many calories is like saying that the only cause of the American Revolution was the Boston Tea Party.” – Adelle Davis, nutritionist

Whether it’s Aunt Mary telling you that extra piece of pie will go straight to your hips, or your roommate’s Instagram post for the new 8-minute weight-loss workout, everyone is an expert on obesity. But what do we really know? And how can we work to stop the obesity epidemic that’s threatening the health of future generations?

In this one-credit course, we will explore causes, consequences, treatments and prevention of obesity. We will challenge common myths about what is causing the obesity epidemic. We will tackle the likely culprits of nutrition and physical activity behaviors, physiological explanations of genetics and metabolism, and the often overlooked but most important influences of economic and societal factors. Through the course we will discuss the wide-ranging consequences of obesity, from physical health to the metal health implications of fat shaming in today’s society. This foundation will give us the tools and understanding to then explore both traditional and novel treatments for obesity, and prevention strategies, both local and global. 

The class will include guest speakers from across campus, community representatives and virtual interactions with leaders across the nation and globally. Students will play an active role in piecing together the obesity puzzle by:

• Surveying media trends on obesity.
• Engaging with classic and current research.
• Participating in an experiment of their own design throughout the semester. 

About Erin Howie Hickey:

Erin Howie Hickey is an assistant professor in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas. Her journey to help prevent obesity started at the University of Maryland, where she received a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. At the University of South Carolina, she obtained a Ph.D. in exercise science with a concentration in health aspects of physical activity. There she developed a passion for preventing childhood obesity, with a focus on getting kids to run, dance, wiggle and shake their way to healthier lifestyles. (As you can see from the photo to the right, she also practices what she preaches.)

Hickey's current research focuses on children’s physical activity, particularly the educational effects of physical activity. She is the faculty advisor for the Exercise is Medicine initiative at the University of Arkansas. The ultimate goal of her research is to promote positive physical activity behaviors to enhance physical and mental health across the lifespan.