Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Johns Hopkins University

Systems Science and Obesity

Johns Hopkins University via Coursera

Overview

Prepare for a new career with $100 off Coursera Plus
Gear up for jobs in high-demand fields: data analytics, digital marketing, and more.
Systems science has been instrumental in breaking new scientific ground in diverse fields such as meteorology, engineering and decision analysis. However, it is just beginning to impact public health. This seminar is designed to introduce students to basic tools of theory building and data analysis in systems science and to apply those tools to better understand the obesity epidemic in human populations. There will also be a lab in which students will use a simple demonstration model of food acquisition behavior using agent-based modeling on standard (free) software (netlogo). The central organizing idea of the course is to examine the obesity epidemic at a population level as an emergent properties of complex, nested systems, with attention to feedback processes, multilevel interactions, and the phenomenon of emergence. While the emphasis will be on obesity, the goal will be to explore ways in which the systems approach can be applied to other non-communicable diseases both nationally and internationally.

Topics will include:
a) the epidemiology of obesity across time and place,
b) theories to explain population obesity,
c) the role of environments and economic resources in obesity
c) basic concepts and tools of systems science,
d) modeling energy-balance related behaviors in context,
e) agent-based models, systems dynamic models, and social network models

Syllabus

  • Module 1
    • Obesity, the facts of the case, and human populations through a systems science lens.
  • Module 2
    • Complex systems, system dynamic models, and developing a stock and flow. This module includes a lab lesson.
  • Module 3
    • Social networks and obesity, neighborhoods and noshing, and prices and poverty.
  • Module 4
    • Agent based modeling and conceptual motivation for agent based modeling. This module includes a lab lesson.

Taught by

Daniel Taber, Kayla de la Haye, Thomas Glass, Jessica Jones-Smith and Rahmatollah Beheshti

Reviews

4.0 rating, based on 2 Class Central reviews

4.6 rating at Coursera based on 199 ratings

Start your review of Systems Science and Obesity

  • Anonymous
    I am Dr. Fakhri Alajeeli from Iraq , I have PhD in biological science,Medical Microbiology and I am

    interesting in the field of micro flora and obesity in benefit cor relationship .

    the obesity is one of important disease around the world and caused more complication on the public health ,there for i would like to learn more of information about the obesity and related with diabetic ,Cardio disease .

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.