Sander Kersten, Ph.D. is the director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences and the Schleifer Family Professor at Cornell University. Dr. Kersten received his MSc degree in Human Nutrition from Wageningen University , Netherlands in 1993, and his Ph.D. degree in Nutritional Biochemistry from Cornell University in 1997. After a postdoctoral stay in the laboratory of Dr. Walter Wahli at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, he moved back to Wageningen University in 2000 with a career development grant from the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was appointed to Associate Professor in 2006 and Full Professor in 2011. In 2014 he became Chair of the Nutrition, Metabolism and Genomics group and in 2019 Chairman of the Division of Human Nutrition and Health at Wageningen University. In January 2024, he moved back to Ithaca as the director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences.
Assessing the Effects of ObesityCornell Course
Course Overview
Rising obesity rates have sparked a debate about the role of environmental factors versus genetic factors in obesity. In this course, you will examine both types of factors and discover why the environment, encompassing everything from cultural and economic influences to government policies, is believed to significantly contribute to the increase in obesity rates.
You will also identify how genetic factors play a crucial role and why they make it so difficult for some to meet a goal weight. Why are some individuals more prone to obesity while others remain lean? You will examine reasons based on science and how these reasons may determine the best approach to weight management. There are multiple ways to combat obesity, and you will assess whether a collective approach or an individual approach is most effective in achieving overall metabolic health.
You are required to have completed the following course or have equivalent experience before taking this course:
- Foundations of Metabolic Health
Key Course Takeaways
- Analyze the influence that environmental factors and genetics have on the development of obesity
- Evaluate the impact of obesity on overall metabolic health
- Identify collective and individual strategies to combat obesity
How It Works
Course Author
Who Should Enroll
- Dietitians
- Nutritionists
- Community and public health workers
- Health educators, coaches, and holistic providers
- Wellness coordinators, consultants, and nutrition program managers
- Sports medical professionals, including physical and occupational therapists, fitness trainers, and managers
- Social media influencers
- Science writers
- Anyone interested in personal wellness and living a healthier life
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