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Specialized Diploma in Nutrition and Obesity Management

 

Field and Subfield: Nutrition Sciences / Health Sciences

 

1. Program Overview:

An accredited professional and applied program extending over 3 months (80 hours of approved study load), aimed at preparing and qualifying nutrition specialists and healthcare practitioners to manage and treat obesity and overweight in accordance with the latest scientific and clinical evidence. The program covers the physiology of body-weight regulation, biological, genetic, and behavioral causes of obesity, endocrine pathophysiology and associated diseases, comprehensive clinical and nutritional assessment, strategies for designing calorie-deficit plans, pharmacological and surgical interventions, protocols for managing special populations, and childhood and adolescent obesity and methods of prevention.

2. Key Objectives:

  • Understanding the science and physiology of obesity: understanding weight-regulation mechanisms, genetic and epigenetic determinants (Epigenetics), and hormonal dysfunction associated with weight gain.
  • Mastering comprehensive clinical and nutritional assessment: analyzing dietary patterns, identifying patient characteristics (Client Profiling), and assessing risks and obesity-related comorbidities.
  • Designing evidence-based nutritional interventions: preparing balanced dietary plans based on a calorie deficit (Calorie Deficit), and applying the latest nutritional protocols for weight loss and maintenance.
  • Managing complex cases and childhood obesity: dealing with special populations, understanding medical and surgical options (bariatric surgery), and designing individualized nutritional assessment and intervention programs for children and adolescents.

3. Target Audience:

  • General, therapeutic, and clinical nutrition specialists.
  • Physicians and healthcare practitioners interested in obesity medicine and lifestyle management.
  • Health and Fitness Coaches seeking to provide evidence-based nutritional counseling.
  • Graduates and students of Nutrition, Applied Medical Sciences, Nursing, and Health Sciences.

4. Study Plan and Modules (12 Modules - 24 Interactive Lectures):

Module

Topics and Training Units

Number of Lectures

Total Hours

Module 1

Fundamentals of human nutrition and the physiology of body-weight regulation

2

4 hours

Module 2

Fundamentals of obesity science, its causes, classification, and risk factors

2

4 hours

Module 3

Biological, psychological, and behavioral factors of obesity, and endocrine pathophysiology

2

4 hours

Module 4

Genetic and epigenetic determinants, and the health consequences of excess weight

2

4 hours

Module 5

Comprehensive clinical assessment, nutritional assessment, and dietary pattern analysis

2

4 hours

Module 6

Nutritional assessment and patient profiling, and obesity-related comorbidities

2

4 hours

Module 7

Nutritional interventions for weight management, and nutrition strategies for weight loss

2

4 hours

Module 8

Designing a low-calorie meal plan, and evidence-based weight-management methods (1)

2

4 hours

Module 9

Evidence-based weight-management methods (2), and medical and pharmacological interventions

2

4 hours

Module 10

Management of special populations in weight care, and medical and surgical treatment of obesity

2

4 hours

Module 11

Fundamentals of childhood obesity and risk factors, and methods of assessment and detection

2

4 hours

Module 12

Nutritional intervention for children with obesity, and prevention and public-health strategies

2

4 hours

Total

12 Comprehensive Study Modules

24 Lectures

48 Training Hours

 

5. Organizational Structure and Assessment System:

  • Duration and sessions: 3 months (evening period), at a rate of two lectures per week, two hours per lecture.
  • Language of study and delivery method: Arabic and English | fully remote interactive training (Online).
  • Distribution of credit hours (80 hours):

50 hours: live and interactive online lectures.

20 hours: required and open readings.

7 hours: chapter questions and self-assessment.

3 hours: final review and program completion examination.

  • Attendance and assessment requirements: attendance of no less than 75% of the lectures, and completion of periodic tasks and assignments.
  • Certificate and final project: the graduate is awarded a Diploma in Therapeutic Nutrition (Nutrition and Obesity Management) after passing the final online examination consisting of 25 multiple-choice questions + 5 practical and applied case questions.

 

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