Start the new year off right with these (mostly) free online Health courses

It's that time of year where you've probably noticed an increase in gym attendance (must work off that eggnog!) right along with infomercials about how to get all buff and svelte before, if not immediately after, the new year.

However, maintaining good health involves more than hitting the gym and pondering an infomercial purchase. Though the 8+ years I've kept my weight off, I've learned a great deal about nutrition, portion control, the psychology of eating, and of course, body image.

Ready to make 2016 a great one!

To that end, I do my best to read and learn as much as possible about health-related topics. I often want to delve deeper and know more about what makes certain foods do what they do in my body and why. From vitamin deficiencies and the potential harms of processed foods to human anatomy and learning new fitness routines, I enjoy just about every aspect of health. 

That's why I wanted to share the scoop on these online courses, which seem like  a great way to start your new year. They're (mostly) free, allow you to work on your own time and best of all, walk away with all kinds of knowledge and a certificate from an established educational institution.

4 Health-Related Courses to Start Your 2016 Off Right

1. Child Nutrition and Cooking
Stanford University
Self-paced course (you can enroll at any time)
Led by Maya Adam, MD 
“This course examines contemporary child nutrition and the impact of the individual decisions made by each family. The health risks associated with obesity in childhood are also discussed. Participants will learn what constitutes a healthy diet for children and adults and how to prepare simple, delicious foods aimed at inspiring a lifelong celebration of easy home-cooked meals.” Topics include Why Home Cooking Matters and From Supermarket to Dinner Table to School.

Expect approximately 5 hours of videos and quizzes during this 5-week course.

2. Epidemics - the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases, $49
Pennsylvania State University
Self-paced course (you can enroll at any time)
Led by a variety of university experts, who primarily specialize in biology and entomology.
“After we’ve covered the basics, we'll be looking at the dynamics of the flu, and why we're worried about flu pandemics. We'll be looking at the dynamics of childhood diseases such as measles and whooping cough, which were once considered almost eradicated, but are now making a comeback. We'll explore Malaria, and use it as a case study of the evolution of drug resistance. We'll even be looking at social networks - how diseases can spread from you to your friends to your friends' friends, and so on. And of course we’ll be talking about vaccination too. We’ll also be talking about how mobile phones, social media and crowdsourcing are revolutionizing disease surveillance, giving rise to a new field of digital epidemiology.”

Plan on about 20 hours of videos and quizzes from this 8-week course.

3. Stanford Introduction to Food and Health
Stanford University
Course begins January 11, 2016
Led by Maya Adam, MD
“In this course, learners will be given the information and practical skills they need to begin optimizing the way they eat. This course will shift the focus away from reductionist discussions about nutrients and move, instead, towards practical discussions about real food and the environment in which we consume it. By the end of this course, learners should have the tools they need to distinguish between foods that will support their health and those that threaten it.”

4. The New Nordic Diet - from Gastronomy to Health
University of Copenhagen
Course begins March 1, 2016
Led by Dr Arne Astrup, MD, DMSc.
“This course will give the participants the opportunity to experience a healthy and palatable new food and eating concept diet 'The New Nordic Diet' and an understanding of how food and diets can affect mental and physical health and ensure the foundation for a healthier life style for future generations with a regional based diet and food culture.”

Plan to spend upwards of five hours weekly with this course. Check the site as March  2016 approaches to see if there are any changes or more details. 

So there you have it. These courses can help you stay on top of your health; learn as much as possible about your body, food culture, disease and cooking with your children -- what a great way to start the new year!

Have a happy and very healthy 2016! What are your health goals?