Laboratorio: stili di vita e salute
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The laboratory aims to provide advanced tools for the critical analysis of lifestyles and their impact on health, integrating biological markers, behavioral factors, and epidemiological evidence. Students will acquire the ability to interpret and discuss findings from observational studies, controlled trials, and large-scale epidemiological analyses (e.g., Global Burden of Disease), developing knowledge useful in the fields of research, public health, and scientific communication.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- assess the quality of scientific studies using international guidelines and checklists (CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA);
- critically synthesize a scientific article, highlighting its objectives, study design, results, and limitations;
- identify and describe the main biological markers related to lifestyles and disease risk;
- critically analyze the determinants of lifestyle and the limitations of assessment tools;
- interpret findings from the scientific literature concerning modifiable risk factors;
- discuss scientific papers critically, developing skills in scientific communication.
- assess the quality of scientific studies using international guidelines and checklists (CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA);
- critically synthesize a scientific article, highlighting its objectives, study design, results, and limitations;
- identify and describe the main biological markers related to lifestyles and disease risk;
- critically analyze the determinants of lifestyle and the limitations of assessment tools;
- interpret findings from the scientific literature concerning modifiable risk factors;
- discuss scientific papers critically, developing skills in scientific communication.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Course syllabus
The course alternates between lectures and practical exercises. The contents will be organized progressively and in an integrated manner, covering the following thematic areas:
i. Introduction to the laboratory
· Course presentation, learning objectives, and organization of activities
ii. Lifestyles and health
· General concepts and modifiable risk factors
· Epidemiological evidence and impact on public health
iii. Biomarkers and health indicators
· Main nutritional, metabolic, and behavioral biomarkers
· Potential, limitations, and variability of indicators
iv. Determinants of lifestyles
· Individual, social, and environmental factors
· Methods and assessment tools
v. Study designs and critical analysis
· Study designs in nutritional and lifestyle epidemiology
· Methodological limitations and sources of bias
· Introduction to large-scale studies and analyses (e.g., Global Burden of Disease)
vi. Applied activities
· Discussion of scientific articles and epidemiological reports
· Group work and case study analysis
· Practical activities aimed at developing critical thinking and scientific communication
i. Introduction to the laboratory
· Course presentation, learning objectives, and organization of activities
ii. Lifestyles and health
· General concepts and modifiable risk factors
· Epidemiological evidence and impact on public health
iii. Biomarkers and health indicators
· Main nutritional, metabolic, and behavioral biomarkers
· Potential, limitations, and variability of indicators
iv. Determinants of lifestyles
· Individual, social, and environmental factors
· Methods and assessment tools
v. Study designs and critical analysis
· Study designs in nutritional and lifestyle epidemiology
· Methodological limitations and sources of bias
· Introduction to large-scale studies and analyses (e.g., Global Burden of Disease)
vi. Applied activities
· Discussion of scientific articles and epidemiological reports
· Group work and case study analysis
· Practical activities aimed at developing critical thinking and scientific communication
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures integrated with applied activities such as group work, guided discussions, and case study analysis.
Teaching Resources
· Scientific articles and guidelines presented during lectures.
· Materials provided by the instructor via the Ariel platform.
· Materials provided by the instructor via the Ariel platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Learning will be assessed through a final examination consisting of two parts:
1. Written assignment involving the critical analysis of a scientific article or epidemiological report, with particular attention to methodological aspects, limitations, and interpretation of results.
2. Oral presentation in class (10 minutes), followed by discussion with the instructor.
Evaluation will be based on:
· acquisition of knowledge on lifestyle determinants and their impact on health;
· critical ability in analyzing study designs, methodological limitations, and sources of bias;
· correct use of scientific literature and international checklists;
· clarity of presentation, scientific rigor, and accuracy of terminology.
The final result will be expressed as a grade out of thirty.
Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or disabilities are requested to contact the instructor at least 15 days before the scheduled exam date to agree on possible individualized measures, copying the relevant University Services in the email: [email protected] (for SLD) and [email protected] (for disabilities).
1. Written assignment involving the critical analysis of a scientific article or epidemiological report, with particular attention to methodological aspects, limitations, and interpretation of results.
2. Oral presentation in class (10 minutes), followed by discussion with the instructor.
Evaluation will be based on:
· acquisition of knowledge on lifestyle determinants and their impact on health;
· critical ability in analyzing study designs, methodological limitations, and sources of bias;
· correct use of scientific literature and international checklists;
· clarity of presentation, scientific rigor, and accuracy of terminology.
The final result will be expressed as a grade out of thirty.
Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or disabilities are requested to contact the instructor at least 15 days before the scheduled exam date to agree on possible individualized measures, copying the relevant University Services in the email: [email protected] (for SLD) and [email protected] (for disabilities).
- University credits: 1
Laboratories: 18 hours
Professor:
Marino Mirko
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Marino MirkoProfessor(s)
Reception:
Every day by appointment
Via Giuseppe Colombo 62, Building 21070, First Floor