Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division for Health & Human Services
Course Prefix and Number: HLTH 131
Course Title: Principles of Weight Management
DATE PREPARED: August 2005
DATE REVISED:
PCS/CIP/ID NO: 1.1 190503.01
IAI NO. (if available):
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: January 13, 2006
CREDIT HOURS:
CONTACT HOURS: 3
LECTURE HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 0
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
The class will focus on the impact of weight loss/gain on chronic disease development,
psychological influences and physiological processes that impact weight management,
nutritional and physical activity principles, and evaluation of popular weight management
methods. At the end of this course, students will be able to create a nutritious eating plan and
physical activity program for their particular lifestyles and health goals. A field trip(s) is/are
tentatively planned.
TEXTBOOKS:
Summerfield, L. M. (2001). Nutrition, exercise, and behavior: An integrated approach to
weight management. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
HLTH 131 fulfills 3 hours of elective credit for the A.A. and A.S. degrees. It should transfer
to most colleges and universities as an elective course. However, since HLTH 131 is not a
part of either the General Education Core Curriculum or a baccalaureate major program
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative, students should check with an academic
advisor for information about is transferability to other institutions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
Outcomes
General
Education
Outcomes
Explain the relationship between body
composition and the risk of chronic disease.
Indicate psychological and cultural factors that
DI 5
influence attitudes about body image, exercise,
and nutrition.
Explain the impact eating and self-image disorders
have on health.
Range of Assessment
Methods (in addition to
exam/quiz questions)
 concept map(s)
 poster presentation
 student oral presentations
 reports after researching/
visiting community
organizations
 journaling
 case studies
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
Relate physiological factors to metabolism/energy
balance.
Describe methods to estimate metabolism, energy
balance, and body composition.
State the essential nutrients and their general
functions.
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
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
Apply nutritional tools used to promote nutritional
planning.
List the benefits of exercise and the various
exercise approaches that influence weight
management.
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Judge the credibility and safety of various popular
weight loss methods, popular diets, and medical
approaches to weight loss.
Formulate and defend a healthy lifestyle/weight
loss program based on nutritional and physical
activity principles.
CT 3
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
written or oral discussion
questions
short reports/presentations
short reports/presentations
concept maps
research papers
presentations
classroom assessment
technique (e.g., charting)
outlines
food diaries
case studies
risk assessments
research paper of a type of
exercise
exercise logs with
journaling
creation of annotated
resource file
poster presentation
pro/con paper
debate
written analysis of health
claims
diet and exercise planning
with rationale
case studies
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
XV.
Evaluation of Health Information
Cultural Influences and Psychological Issues
Body Type and Body Composition
Chronic Diseases Related to Body Composition
Physiological Factors Affecting Metabolism and Energy Balance
Measurement of Metabolism, Body Composition, and Energy Balance
Surgical and Pharmaceutical Approaches
Dietary Supplements for Weight Management
Essential Nutrients
Dietary Assessment Tools
Popular Diets and Weight Loss Programs
Surgical and Pharmaceutical Approaches to Weight Management
Non-surgical Approaches to Weight Management
Eating Disorders and Self-Image Disorders
Benefits and Types of Physical Activity
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
The evaluation methods will vary by instructor, but may include exams, quizzes, papers,
projects, poster presentations, journals/logs, debates, case studies, risk assessments, concept
maps, other assignments, and class participation/discussion.
Example 1
class participation
reaction paper
pop quizzes
assignments
semester project
Grading Scale:
Example 2
10- page paper
presentation
test 1
test 2
test 3
final exam
5%
15%
30%
20%
30%
100%
A
B
C
D
F
25%
10%
15%
15%
15%
20%
100%
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59% and below
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Writing assignments may include, but not limited to, written reports of assessments, analyses of
health information/claims, research and reaction papers, essay and assigned discussion questions
(both on exams and as assignments), and journals. In all, students will be writing the equivalent
of a 10 -12 page paper either as one paper or over the duration of the semester.
Students should read the required readings, which may include textbook chapters and/or
supplemental readings before the topic is introduced in class. Chapters are usually
approximately 20-30 pages, and supplementary readings may be up to five pages. Supplemental
readings are short articles taken from professional journals, newspapers, popular magazines, and
the Internet. Reading the material before class is important because less time can be devoted to
presentation, and more to activities that apply the information. In the latter cases, students seem
to enjoy and learn more when less time is allotted to lecture of basic information and more time
is allotted to apply the concepts to everyday life.