PSY6512 - The Psychology of Eating Behaviour

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the key issues relating to the study of nutrition, eating behaviour and weight management
Critically evaluate how psychological and biological events can interact with regards to appetite control
Synthesise and apply research findings from a number of different approaches (i.e. biological, experimental, and clinical) to key issues such as obesity, eating disorders, dietary assessment, infant feeding and cognitive function.
Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the complexity of multiple influences on appetite and eating behaviour, and be able to summarise these in an appropriate scientific format.

Content:

Obesity and successful weight management are one of the world's greatest health concerns. This module will comprise a survey of recent evidence and current thinking on the control of eating behaviour and the regulation of body weight. Lectures and associated tutorials will cover the following topics: Approaches to human appetite research; Homeostatic and hedonic factors in the regulation of appetite; Physiological and nutritional determinants of appetite; Obesity and eating disorders; Physical activity, exercise and energy expenditure; Gene-environment interactions in the regulation of body weight and food choice; Dieting and weight management; Food addiction; Appetite across the lifespan.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module delivery will utilise a combination of lecture-based teaching, small-group tutorial sessions, video clips and supportive use of the VLE (e.g. podcasts and recommended reading) for students as they continue to develop their ability to learn independently. The module will be delivered on the basis of one 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week. The lectures will be delivered to all students signed onto the module. The tutorials will be delivered in small groups (no more than 15) on a separate day to the lecture.

Therefore, one 2-hour lecture timetable slot will be required each week, and up to three 1-hour tutorial timetable slots will be required each week.

Lectures
Contact Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Tutorials
Contact Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: 15

Guided independent study
Hours: 170

Further details relating to assessment
Students will be asked to develop a research proposal based on one of the topics presented in the module (e.g. eating behaviour, weight management). They will be asked to apply their understanding of the key issues relating to the study of eating behaviour and weight management to develop a novel research question based on a review of the literature. Students will need to apply their knowledge of research techniques used in this area to design the methodology for their proposed study, consider its ethical implications and the impact it will have (knowledge, weight management in general).

Assessment:

001 Proposal; 3,000 words; end of semester 1 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Michelle Dalton
Level - 6
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 6S1

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