Course

Energy metabolism and body composition in Nutrition and Health Research

Advanced course / Masterclass

Changes in energy balance result in weight gain or loss and changes in body composition. And disturbances in energy metabolism like mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic inflexibility are linked to metabolic health and chronic diseases. Both diet and physical activity, but also ageing, can affect energy metabolism, energy balance and body composition.
The course will provide a solid scientific background on aspects of energy metabolism and health at the physiological level, with – this time- particular attention for ageing. Furthermore, an overview of state-of-the-art in vivo methods to measure body composition and energy metabolism will be given.

Organised by Human Nutrition & Health, Food Technology Agrobiotechnology Nutrition and Health Sciences (VLAG), Human and Animal Physiology
Date

Mon 5 March 2018 until Wed 7 March 2018

Venue Conference Centre Hof van Wageningen

Course aim

  • To provide a solid scientific background on aspects of energy metabolism and health at the physiological level, with particular attention for ageing
  • To provide an overview of state-of-the-art in vivo methods to measure body composition and energy metabolism, with some practical experience with analysis of body composition data
  • To provide the opportunity to shortly present own research(plans) in a masterclass

Course design

The course consists of a series of lectures, interspersed with short presentations of recent studies performed at WUR. As part of the programme the opportunity will be provided to discuss participant’s own research (plans).
The focus of this year's course is on ageing, with as keynote speaker prof. John Speakman. Participants are encouraged to apply for a short oral presentation or a pitch. An abstract should be send to Dr Marco Mensink before 1 February 2018. Six abstracts will be selected and included as part of the programme (‘masterclass’).

Participants

The course is aimed at research professionals (PhD level) who are at the start of their career in nutritional or health sciences, or other scientists who want to become familiar with the field of Energy metabolism and Body composition in nutrition and health research. Participants should have a background in biology, medicine, food/nutritional science, or other life sciences and should have basic knowledge of human biology, physiology and nutrition.

Programme topics

Amongst others the following topics will be covered:

  • Energy metabolism, mitochondrial function and health
  • Energy balance and physical activity
  • Methods to assess energy expenditure (e.g. Double Labeled Water (DLW), accelerometry) and body composition (e.g.
    kinantropometry and imaging)
  • Ageing, body composition and energy expenditure
  • Caloric restriction and Ageing