Obesity and Insulin Resistance Over 50 from Udemy

My name is Dr. Meredith Goodwin. I am a Board-Certified Family Physician who has been in practice for over 30 years. Like nearly everyone else in my medical school class, when I first became a physician, my goal was to help people. At that time, obesity and diabetes were relatively rare, and we had only a few drugs to help.Don’t take this wrong, but I HATE obesity. I grew up in the 1960s when nearly everyone, including my parents, was trim. As I hit my teen years, I started gaining some weight. The weight gradually increased through high school, college, and medical school. But I’m a doctor, right? There must be a drug that would help. Well, nothing really worked long-term. Medicine treated weight loss as a reflection of a person’s inability to have self-control. Remember that? It took a long time for obesity to be regarded as a disease process. Eat less, exercise more, right? Not only did that not work for me in the long term, but it also did not work for my patients.

My goal for this course is to help learners understand how we got where we are today - overweight, obese, and diabetic. We will then look at the current theories of obesity and figure out what actually causes it. What works for weight loss, what doesn't, and why. Then we'll apply what we have learned to get us turned around and on the right path to regaining control of our health. Ready to join me?

What's inside

Learning objectives

How big food and big pharma made us insulin resistant
How insulin resistance makes it impossible to lose weight

What foods set us up to fail when we try to lose weight
How we can take back control of our health

How big food and big pharma made us insulin resistant
How insulin resistance makes it impossible to lose weight
What foods set us up to fail when we try to lose weight
How we can take back control of our health

Syllabus

Introduction

How the US obesity epidemic came to be

History of the Food Supply in the US

The "Diet Heart Hypothesis"

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the history of the US obesity epidemic and the factors contributing to it, offering a comprehensive understanding of the current health landscape

Examines the role of nutrition and hormones, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, cholesterol, and insulin, in the development of obesity and insulin resistance

Discusses various obesity drugs, both past and present, including stimulants, non-stimulants, supplements, and newer medications, while also addressing the use of statins for cholesterol

Details the effects of insulin resistance on various bodily systems, including the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, endocrine, and autoimmune systems, as well as its potential link to cancer

Requires learners to establish a baseline through formal testing and home monitoring, which may necessitate access to medical facilities and equipment not readily available to all learners

Recommends intermittent fasting as a strategy, which may not be appropriate or safe for all individuals, especially those with pre-existing health conditions or without consulting a healthcare professional

Reviews summary

Understanding obesity and insulin resistance for ages 50+

According to learners, this course offers a clear and accessible explanation of obesity and insulin resistance, specifically addressing factors relevant to individuals over 50. Many highlight the practical advice provided on diet, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments, finding these strategies highly applicable to managing their health. Students frequently praise the instructor's engaging approach and ability to simplify complex medical concepts, often feeling motivated and empowered by the information. While widely considered valuable for building foundational knowledge and actionable steps, a few reviews suggest that some content might feel basic to those with prior medical or health science backgrounds. Overall, it is viewed as a valuable resource for taking control of one's metabolic health.

Content might be basic for some.

"If you already have a strong science or medical background, some sections might be quite basic."

"While great for beginners, I was hoping for slightly more in-depth scientific detail in some areas."

"Provides an excellent overview, but isn't a deep dive into the biochemistry."

Instructor's personal story resonates.

"Loved hearing Dr. Goodwin's personal journey; it made the information feel very real and relatable."

"The instructor's passion and experience truly shine through, making the lectures engaging."

"Felt very connected to the material because of the doctor's sincerity and personal insight."

Actionable advice for managing health.

"This course provided practical steps I could immediately implement to improve my health."

"The section on 'What Do I Eat?' and intermittent fasting was incredibly helpful."

"Gave me concrete things I can do with diet and exercise to make a real difference."

Complex health concepts are made easy.

"Dr. Goodwin explains complex topics like insulin resistance so clearly that anyone can understand."

"I finally understand the science behind why weight loss has been so difficult for me."

"Made challenging medical terms very easy to grasp and apply to my own health situation."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Obesity and Insulin Resistance Over 50 with these activities:

Review Basic Nutrition Principles

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental nutrition concepts to better grasp the course's discussion on how specific foods impact insulin resistance.

Browse courses on Macronutrients

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Review the major food groups and their recommended daily intake.
Study the roles of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) in the body.
Familiarize yourself with essential vitamins and minerals.

Read 'The Obesity Code' by Dr. Jason Fung

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Deepen your understanding of the hormonal factors driving obesity and insulin resistance, as discussed in the course.

View The Diabetes Code Journal: The Official... on Amazon

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Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and arguments.
Reflect on how the book's insights relate to the course material.
Consider how the book's recommendations could be applied in practice.

Document Your Diet

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Track your food intake for a week to identify potential sources of insulin resistance in your own diet.

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Record everything you eat and drink for seven days.
Analyze your diet for carbohydrate content, processed foods, and added sugars.
Reflect on how your diet might be contributing to insulin resistance.

Three other activities

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Discuss the course with peers

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Engage in discussions with other students to reinforce your understanding of the course material and share insights.

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Find a study partner or group.
Schedule regular meetings to discuss course concepts and assignments.
Share your insights and learn from others' perspectives.

Design a Low-Insulin-Resistance Meal Plan

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Apply the course's principles to create a personalized meal plan that minimizes insulin spikes and promotes weight loss.

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Research foods that have a low glycemic index and are nutrient-dense.
Create a sample meal plan for one week, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Evaluate your meal plan for nutritional adequacy and potential for insulin control.

Read 'Why We Get Fat' by Gary Taubes

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Explore alternative perspectives on the causes of obesity and the role of carbohydrates in weight gain.

View Rethinking Diabetes: What Science Reveals About... on Amazon

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Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and arguments.
Compare and contrast the book's arguments with the course material.
Consider the implications of the book's recommendations for your own health.

Career center

Learners who complete Obesity and Insulin Resistance Over 50 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Wellness Coach

A wellness coach supports clients in achieving their health and wellness goals by providing guidance, support, and motivation. This includes helping people lose weight, manage chronic conditions, and adopt healthier lifestyle. This course is highly relevant for a wellness coach as it provides a deep understanding of the physiological mechanisms that contribute to weight gain and related health issues. The course's detailed examination of insulin resistance, nutrition, and the impact of hormones is vital for a coach to create personalized strategies for clients. Furthermore, the course explores how to set baselines and effectively use home monitoring tools and will help a wellness coach equip their clients with information for lasting positive change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wellness Coach

Registered Dietitian

Registered dietitians provide expert guidance on diet and nutrition, helping clients manage their health through optimized food consumption. They design meal plans, educate on food choices, and address the nutritional needs of various populations. This course helps aspiring dietitians gain a deeper understanding of the hormonal and metabolic factors surrounding obesity. By exploring the history of the food supply with a critical eye, registered dietitians can better address the nutritional needs of clients struggling with weight and insulin resistance. The modules on carbohydrate metabolism, the role of fat and cholesterol, intermittent fasting, and how to monitor health metrics at home provides a strong basis for a more holistic approach to dietary recommendations. This course will help you become a more effective guide.

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Health Educator

A health educator develops and implements strategies to improve the well-being of individuals and communities. This work often involves teaching people about preventative care, disease management, and lifestyle changes. This course helps health educators understand the complex interplay between diet, hormones, and chronic disease. By delving into the history of the obesity epidemic and exploring current theories of its causes, you will gain valuable insights to share with your clients. The course's focus on insulin resistance and its wide-ranging effects will help you tailor your educational approaches, providing more effective and impactful health education. This course will give you a much more sophisticated knowledge of the science behind obesity.

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Corporate Wellness Specialist

A corporate wellness specialist develops and implements programs that promote employee health. They might organize fitness challenges, health education programs, and wellness events. This course will be very useful to a corporate wellness specialist, especially for improving programs related to weight loss and diabetes. The course examines the historical and societal factors behind the obesity epidemic, and this can be used to tailor corporate programs. Learning about how insulin resistance affects various body systems will allow the wellness specialist to address underlying medical issues behind weight, rather than simply focusing on the symptom of weight gain. Improving health monitoring and setting baselines are important skills for a corporate wellness programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Wellness Specialist

Nutrition Consultant

A nutrition consultant provides customized dietary advice to individuals or groups. This can be in private practice, or for wellness-oriented businesses. They assess nutritional needs, develop meal plans, and guide changes in eating habits. This course is highly relevant for the nutrition consultant because it offers an in-depth understanding of how certain foods impact the human body. The course covers important topics such as carbohydrate metabolism, the role of insulin, and how hormones contribute to weight gain. This knowledge will help the consultant provide more tailored advice, accounting for the underlying causes of obesity and insulin resistance. Understanding how the food system has impacted diet will also allow for more effective consulting.

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Personal Trainer

A personal trainer designs and implements fitness programs, guiding their clients toward their physical goals. They work with individuals on weight loss, muscle gain, and overall physical well-being. This course provides an understanding of the biological factors impacting fitness. Understanding insulin resistance, nutrition, and the effects of hormones are key to developing successful fitness programs. The course's discussion of exercise, diet, and metabolic health provides a more complete picture to a personal trainer who may have previously focused primarily on movement. The information on how to take control of one's health and set baselines will help a personal trainer better understand the importance of the role they play in their client's journey.

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Health Program Coordinator

A health program coordinator manages and evaluates health-related projects, ensuring they achieve their goals and meet community needs. These professionals organize resources and collaborate with various stakeholders. This course will be beneficial to a health program coordinator, especially one working on obesity, diabetes, or metabolic health. The course examines how the current food system impacts health and highlights medical perspectives on metabolic health. By examining current theories of obesity, a health program coordinator can develop more effective and evidence based programs. Learning about insulin resistance and its effects on various body systems will improve a program's reach and impact. The program will also be more effective knowing the importance of monitoring and establishing baselines.

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Medical Writer

A medical writer creates documents related to healthcare and medicine, including research papers, articles, and educational materials. They communicate complex scientific information to a variety of audiences. This course will be useful for a medical writer seeking to better explain the science of obesity, insulin resistance, and related health issues. The course reviews the history of the obesity epidemic while also diving into scientific and medical understanding. By exploring the history of the food supply, the impact of hormones, and current medical interventions, you can more effectively explain these topics to the general public or a more specialized audience.

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Public Health Analyst

Public health analysts examine health data to understand trends, evaluate programs, and develop policies to improve community health. They use data to identify health risks, track diseases, and shape interventions. This course will be useful to a public health analyst who needs to understand chronic disease trends and prevention. The course examines the historical and societal factors behind the obesity epidemic. By looking at the ways in which the current food system impacts health, a public health analyst can better assess the scope of the problem and craft preventative measures. Learning about how insulin resistance affects a variety of systems will improve a public health analyst's ability to contextualize data and make well-informed recommendations, as the course outlines connections between food, health, policy, and practice.

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Health and Wellness Blogger

A health and wellness blogger creates content for online platforms, sharing information, tips, and advice on various health-related topics. They may focus on diet, exercise, or specific health conditions. This course may be helpful for a blogger who wishes to explain the science behind metabolic health. The course reviews the history of the obesity epidemic while also diving into scientific and medical understanding. By exploring the history of the food supply, the impact of hormones, and current medical interventions, a blogger can more effectively explain these topics to a general audience. The course will deepen their understanding of the causes of obesity and insulin resistance, allowing more well-informed content creation.

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Research Associate

A research associate assists in scientific studies, collecting and analyzing data, and contributing to the development of new knowledge. They often work in labs or research institutions. This course may be useful for a research associate working in metabolic health. The course reviews the history of the obesity epidemic as well as current medical and research understanding of this issue. By going in-depth into topics like insulin resistance and hormonal balance, a research associate can gain a more thorough understanding of potential clinical and research targets. The course helps to build a foundation for a research associate who wishes to explore more specialized scientific topics related to weight management.

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Healthcare Administrator

A healthcare administrator manages the operations of healthcare facilities, ensuring smooth patient care. They oversee staff, budgets, and regulatory compliance. This course may be helpful for a health administrator, especially one who is working to improve chronic disease care. The course examines the historical and political factors behind the obesity epidemic and also provides insight into the physiology of insulin resistance. This understanding of the complexities behind obesity can help a healthcare administrator be more informed in their decision-making. While this course does not focus specifically on healthcare administration, it provides a wider view of an important component of healthcare.

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Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

A pharmaceutical sales representative markets and sells pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals. They explain the benefits and uses of the medication they sell. This course may be useful for a pharmaceutical sales representative who is selling products related to weight loss or diabetes. The course reviews some medical theory behind obesity and insulin resistance and current drug treatments. While the course does not endorse or recommend any particular pharmaceutical intervention, gaining a better grasp of the complexities of these conditions will improve a sales representative's understanding of the industry and the rationale behind current treatments.

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Medical Device Sales Representative

A medical device sales representative sells medical equipment to healthcare providers. They may focus on devices for diagnosing, treating, or monitoring chronic health issues. This course may be useful for a medical device sales representative who is selling products related to diabetes or metabolic health. The course reviews some background behind the obesity and diabetes epidemics and current medical interventions. While this course does not directly discuss any medical devices, understanding current medical thought on topics like insulin resistance can help a sales representative better understand the needs of their clients and position their product more effectively.

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Biomedical Engineer

A biomedical engineer designs and develops medical devices and equipment, combining engineering principles with medical knowledge. They may work on devices for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of health conditions. This course may be useful for a biomedical engineer working on technologies related to metabolic health. The course reviews some of the biological mechanisms behind obesity. By going over topics like insulin resistance, the course may help a biomedical engineer improve their understanding of potential needs in the marketplace. While this course does not focus specifically on engineering, it can provide an important context when designing tools for metabolic health.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Obesity and Insulin Resistance Over 50.

The Diabetes Code Journal

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of the hormonal imbalances that contribute to obesity, particularly focusing on insulin resistance. It offers a contrarian perspective on conventional weight loss advice, aligning with the course's focus on understanding the root causes of obesity. It valuable resource for understanding the role of insulin and dietary choices in weight management. This book provides additional depth to the course.

The Diabetes Code Journal: The Official Workbook...

Flexibound

The Diabetes Code Journal

Paperback

Rethinking Diabetes

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Challenges conventional wisdom about weight gain, arguing that carbohydrates, not fat, are the primary driver of obesity. It aligns with the course's focus on the role of insulin and dietary choices in weight management. This book provides a historical perspective on the evolution of dietary advice and its impact on public health. It valuable resource for understanding the science behind low-carbohydrate diets.

Rethinking Diabetes: What Science Reveals About...

Paperback

Obesity and Insulin Resistance Over 50

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Understanding obesity and insulin resistance for ages 50+

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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