The nervous energy is palpable when we see patients for their initial weight management consultation. Most patients visiting an obesity expert have tried numerous programs before seeing us. They are often discouraged and disheartened because either they have never been able to lose weight or they lost weight only to regain it all. They often call it “yo-yo-ing”. In addition, most patients have faced bias related to their weight not only from family, friends, or employers but, sadly, often from physicians and other healthcare providers. Our initial goal is to build trust and reassure the patien ..read more

Heather Pile, PA-C Heather Pile, PA-C became a member of the Obesity Medicine Association in 2019. She currently works at the Kentucky Bariatric Institute. Read more about Heather and her experience with the OMA below. Why did you decide to become an OMA member?  The decision to become an OMA member was driven by her deep desire on their part to collaborate with other practitioners in the field of Obesity Medicine. Having spent over a decade as a physician assistant specializing in this area, they realized the immense value of connecting with like-minded professionals who shared their pas ..read more

Each month, the OMA Pediatric Committee reviews a pediatric-focused obesity research update to help keep you up to date about the latest findings. This month’s update addresses Autism Spectrum Disorder and obesity in children. Therapeutic Effects of Butyrate on Pediatric Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial Article Summary Gut microbiome dysfunction may play a role in pediatric obesity. This trial investigated whether butyrate, which is produced by gut-bacteria, could have a positive effect in pediatric obesity treatment. Read the full article. Article Review Several studies hav ..read more

There is growing interest in the pharmacological treatment of obesity. Before 2012, there were few weight loss medications approved by the FDA. The top medications at that time were phentermine, marketed as Lomaira and Adipex-P, and orlistat, marketed as Xenical and Alli.   The advent of Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 receptor agonists), with brand names like Wegovy and Ozempic, has attracted explosive media attention. According to a study published in 2022 in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, online searches and prescriptions for GLP-1 receptor agonists are ris ..read more

Jennifer Seger, MD, FOMA became a fellow of the OMA in 2016. Read her full interview below to learn more about Dr. Seger and her experiences. Why did you decide to become an OMA member? I first learned about OMA, back then ASBP, from the internet when trying to find some learning opportunities specific to obesity. Luckily, there was an upcoming conference in New Orleans which I attended. I knew absolutely no one and I honestly remember thinking “Where did these folks attend medical school?” because so much of what I was hearing in the presentations was new information. Still, I was intrigued ..read more

How to Lose Weight Working from Home  We know that staying active is good for our health in so many ways, from keeping our weight in a healthy range and cardiovascular health to immunity and for mental health. The World Health Organization recommends 150-300 minutes of physical activity a week to maintain general health and prevent weight gain. Some organizations recommend at least 420 minutes of activity to lose weight and prevent weight regain. In an era where remote work has become the norm, the boundary between personal and professional life has blurred like never before. As we settle ..read more

Assessing Mental Health in Patients with Obesity  Over recent decades, both obesity rates and the prevalence of mental health disorders have increased, sparking intense scientific interest in understanding the intricate dynamics that bind these two seemingly distinct aspects of health. While both mental health and obesity have been explored separately, it is important to acknowledge the complex relationship between the two. Obesity often correlates with an increased risk of developing various mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and reduced overall psychological well-b ..read more

Using Motivational Interviewing for Obesity Treatment  In the treatment of the disease of obesity, where conventional approaches often fall short in achieving lasting outcomes, a fresh perspective emerges through the application of motivational interviewing. In recent years, the paradigm of obesity treatment has shifted from a one-size-fits-all model to one that embraces the complexities of individual behavior, motivation, and readiness to change. Motivational interviewing, a collaborative and person-centered communication style, has gained prominence as an effective tool in fostering int ..read more

Each month, the OMA Pediatric Committee reviews a pediatric-focused obesity research update to help keep you up to date about the latest findings. This month’s update addresses Autism Spectrum Disorder and obesity in children. Autism Spectrum Disorder and Obesity in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Article Summary This article is a systematic review and meta-analysis of twenty studies evaluating whether children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a greater prevalence of obesity. Read the full article. Article Review One in five children have childhood obesit ..read more

There is growing interest in the pharmacological treatment of obesity. Before 2012, there were few anti-obesity medications (AOMs) approved by the FDA. The top medications at that time were phentermine, marketed as Lomaira and Adipex-P, and orlistat, marketed as Xenical and Alli.   The advent of Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 receptor agonists), with brand names like Wegovy and Ozempic, has attracted explosive media attention. According to a study published in 2022 in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, online searches and prescriptions for GLP-1 receptor agonists ..read more