Course Syllabus
Course: HFST 1260
Division: Social and Behavioral Science
Department: Education and Family Studies
Title: Weight Control and Eating Behaviors
Semester Approved: Spring 2023
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2027
End Semester: Fall 2028
Catalog Description: This class provides students with information and experience to evaluate positive and negative behaviors and beliefs regarding food, eating, weight, and body image. Principles of good nutrition and eating habits are especially applied to contemporary problems of weight control, eating disorders and body image as they appy to lifespan development. The course provides introductory-level information to majors as well as help to those interested in the subject matter.
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
Repeatable: Yes.
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Justification: This elective course is designed to provide a basic understanding of contemporary food/eating and body/weight issues. It provides introductory-level information to majors as well as help to those affected. This course is recommended for Family and Consumer Science Education and Nutrition majors. This course is also open to all interested students. Students with a specific need or interest relating to eating disorders are sometimes referred to the course through the Wellness Center.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will understand the impact of positive and negative body image and strategies to change negative image. Exploring and engaging in applied, reflective assessments, both oral presentations and written assignments and journals.
Students will gain understanding of eating disorder types, as well as biological, social and genetic influences, and medical dangers. Increased understanding will be achieved through readings of course materials, case studies and media examples, then assessed through applied writing assignments on pertinent contemporary social issues.
Students will understand the belief-feeling-behavior pedagogy as it relates to eating disorders, obesity, and body image perspectives. Applying the pedagogy to personal and diverse scenarios and problem solving across the lifespan through student journals, tests, and quizzes.
Students will understand basic, healthy behaviors including habitual exercise, common-sense eating, healthy food choices, knowledge of preservatives and processed food, and the positive outcomes of a health-driven lifestyle. Understanding will come through exposure to current topical readings, course materials, and multi-media resources. Assessed through tests and quizzes and as students present learning presentations to their peers, evaluate their own nutrition patterns, and write reflectively on individual progress through journals.
Content:
Students will explore contemporary issues of food/eating and weight/body with regards to diverse cultures and various body types. The content of the course is outlined below: I. Rules of Normal Eating• Rules of Change• Connecting Beliefs, Feelings and Behaviors• Rational vs. Irrational BeliefsII. Disordered Eating• Definitions and Influential Factors of Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder• Underlying Issues, Triggers, Irrational Behavior Reaction• Medical Dangers of Eating Disorders, Treatment Approaches• ObesityIII. Nutritional Needs• Emotional Eating• Daunting Eating SituationsIV. Self-Care • Self-Esteem Across the Lifespan • Body Image • Body Image History • Body Acceptance • Learning to Love Your Body • What a Body is For • Reflections on Learning
Key Performance Indicators:
Percentages are approximate:
Tests/Quizzes 25 to 35%
Written Assignments 35 to 60%
Written Journals 10 to 20%
Projects/Presentations 5 to 10%
In-class Assignments 20 to 30%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
The Rules of Normal Eating by Karen R. Koening (current edition)
Pedagogy Statement:
Students' exploration of this course includes in-class lecture content, outside reading of the course text, in-class activities and group discussion, applied assignments, viewing of documentary videos, and student reflections. The content of the course lends itself to open dialogue of body and eating issues and how those issues vary from person to person. Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions and to show respect for their classmates' varying opinions and experiences. In small group-work, students discuss vulnerable topics and find relationships and connection with diverse group partners. The course is rudimentary and the assignments are not difficult, but are personal and reflective as students make connections with the course content and their everyday lives.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 40
Optimum Class Size: 35
