Nutritional Pathophysiology of Obesity and its Comorbidities: A Case-Study Approach

Nutritional Pathophysiology of Obesity and Its Comorbidities: A Case-Study Approach challenges students and practitioners to understand the role of nutrients within the pathophysiology and development of disease, specifically those diseases which develop as a result of obesity. Through a case-based approach, the author presents complex clinical scenarios that require multiple treatment strategies, including targeted diet modification as an adjuvant to medical therapy.

The book is divided into 9 modules and 5 appendices each of which covers aspects of obesity and its comorbidities. Within each module, a case is detailed with relevant history, laboratory and physical data, and follow-up information. Each case is followed by a resource section which delineates current understanding of the pathophysiology of the condition, as well as the actions of nutrients and food components shown to modify these processes. A "further readings" section cites current supporting clinical and basic literature as well as published guidelines.

• Explores how obesity is a key player in the pathophysiology of many diseases, including diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, hypertension, and atherosclerosis
• Integrates current understandings of the molecular mechanisms of nutrient action on the processes of disease development and treatment
• Presents students and early practitioners with complex clinical scenarios through a practical case-based approach

Susan Ettinger has focused her career at the interface of nutrition science and medicine. She began her nutrition studies with the hypothesis that the non-physician medical nutrition scientist was urgently needed to liaison with clinicians and researchers to translate nutritional findings from bench to bedside. She undertook a doctoral curriculum combining nutrition and medical sciences at Columbia University and postdoctoral training in the molecular biology of cancer, aging and immunology at Cornell University Medical Center. She was awarded an R25 grant from NCI to study the feasibility of training post-masters students in cancer nutrition and subsequently joined Dr. Pi Sunyer at the New York Obesity Research Center to test the curriculum with postdoctoral candidates. She continues to collaborate with faculty at Columbia University Medical Center to develop a curriculum to disseminate information at the interface of nutrition, obesity and cancer to health science professionals at multiple training levels.