This course focuses on the complex, multi-faceted, “landscape of obesity”. Throughout the semester, students will learn about the financial and human capital costs of being overweight, the underlying causes of its rapid development, and promising approaches to treatment and prevention. The course is organized around these three broad themes: 1) The complex interaction of behavioral, environmental and biological factors in in the development of obesity; 2) the role of lifestyle behaviors, including diet, physical activity, sleep, and time spent outdoors, in achieving and maintaining health; and 3) socio-cultural approaches in the prevention of obesity. All combined, the course includes a comprehensive exploration of the behavioral and social components of one of the leading public health challenges of our time. Lecture course. Graded on A-F basis only. Prerequisites: sophomore standing required.