Obesity: A Disease

Episode 132: Clinical Conversations: Using EPSDT to Improve Access to Obesity Pharmacotherapy in Youth

In this episode of Obesity: A Disease, Dr. Suzanne Cuda, Executive Editor of the Obesity Medicine Association’s Obesity Pillars online journal, interviews Dr. Alaina Vidmar and Dr. Valerie O’Hara about their co-authored article, Using EPSDT to Improve Access to Obesity Pharmacotherapy, published in Obesity Pillars. Together they discuss using the federally mandated Medicated provision, Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) to access coverage for obesity treatment of yout

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Episode 131: Clinical Conversations: OMA Practice Management Algorithm

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings is joined by Dr. Courtney Younglove to explore OMA’s new Practice Management Algorithm, a practical resource designed to help clinicians navigate the business and operational complexities of obesity medicine practice. The conversation examines the gaps the Practice Management Algorithm was developed to address, how its eight practice management domains can support clinicians across a variety of

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Episode 130: Clinical Conversations: Access, Coverage & Health Equity in 2026

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings is joined by Dr. Tracy Norfleet and Dr. Alicia Shellly to discuss how the rapidly evolving landscape of access, insurance coverage, and health equity is shaping obesity care in 2026. Together, they explore the impact of Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance policies on health equity and discuss strategies to ensure advances in obesity care benefit all patients. Episode Guests: Tracy Norf

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Episode 129: Clinical Conversations: Nutrition for Weight Maintenance After Medication or Surgery

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings is joined by Co-Clinical Education Director, Dr. Kirsten Frederiksen, together, they unpack the physiology behind rapid weight regain after stopping obesity medications, explore the most effective dietary and lifestyle strategies for long-term weight maintenance, and discuss how clinicians can reframe the conversation with patients from the very start of treatment. Episode Guest: Kirsten Freder

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Episode 128: Clinical Conversations: Protein, Muscle, and Sarcopenic Obesity

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings sits down with Dr. Renee Rogers for an insightful discussion on the critical role of muscle preservation during weight loss therapy. Together, they explore the latest evidence surrounding lean mass retention and share practical, evidence-based strategies clinicians can apply to help patients maintain muscle, enhance metabolic health, and achieve more sustainable treatment outcomes. Episode Gues

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Episode 127: Clinical Conversations: Nutrition in the GLP-1 Era

In this Episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings engages in a discussion with Dr. Sue Benson Davies, exploring evidence-informed strategies to prevent undernutrition during weight loss in the evolving landscape of GLP-1–based care. Together, they examine optimal protein targets, approaches to managing food aversion and diminished appetite, and practical nutrition counseling techniques to support safe and sustainable patient outcomes. Episode

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Episode 126: Industry Insights: Metabolic Resting Rate

In this Industry Insights episode of Obesity: A Disease, host Dr. Christopher Weber welcomes Dr. Cameron Garber and Dr. Marc Humbert, metabolic testing specialists with Korr Medical Technologies and hosts of the Metabolic Mastery podcast. Dr. Garber and Dr. Humbert join Dr. Christopher Weber for a focused discussion on resting metabolic rate, exploring its role as a vital sign, its application in nutritional planning, and what the future holds for metabolic testing. This episode is sponsored by

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Episode 125: Industry Insights: Surmount OSA Trial

In this Industry Insights episode of Obesity: A Disease, host Dr. Christopher Weber welcomes Dr. Kevin Trice, Executive Director in the Global Medical Affairs Division of Cardiometabolic Health at Eli Lilly. Dr. Trice will be speaking today on behalf of Lilly. This material is developed under the direction and sponsorship of Lilly Medical Affairs and is intended for US healthcare professional only. Dr. Trice is an employee of Eli Lilly.  Dr. Kevin Trice joins Dr. Christopher Weber for a focused

Episode 124: The Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods on Pediatric Health

In this episode of Obesity: A Disease, Dr. Suzanne Cuda, Executive Editor of the Obesity Medicine Association’s Obesity Pillars online journal, interviews Dr. Sarah Ro and Dr. Sushma Chamarthi about their co-authored article, The Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods on Pediatric Health, published in Obesity Pillars. Together they discuss the impact and increasing prevalence of ultra-processed foods into pediatric diets. Episode Guests: Sarah Ro, MD, DABOM Sushma Chamarthi, MD, FAAP, DABOM Episode Hos

Episode 123: Obesity and Orthopedic Surgical Care - Challenges and Advances

In this eighth and final episode of the series, Dr. Allison Rhodes concludes the discussion on obesity and orthopedic health with Dr. Cherise Dyal, focusing on the unique post-operative risks and recovery challenges following lower extremity surgery in patients with obesity. Together, they examine complications in lower extremity procedures that can be influenced by obesity, as well as the factors contributing to extended recovery timelines and complex rehabilitation needs. The episode also expl

Episode 122: Obesity and Orthopedic Surgery with Dr. Cherise Dyal

In this seventh episode of our eight part series, Dr. Allison Rhodes welcomes Dr. Cherise Dyal, MD, DABOM. Dr. Dyal is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and together, they examine the complex relationship between obesity and lower extremity disorders. The discussion explores the heightened prevalence of foot, ankle, hip, and knee conditions among individuals with obesity and how these issues contribute to pain, reduced mobility, and diminished quality of life. Dr. Dyal provides a clinical per

Episode 121: Endocrine Challenges and Advances in Patients with Obesity

In this sixth episode of our eight part series, Dr. Allison Rhodes welcomes back Dr. Megha Poddar, MD, FRCPC, DABOM, to explore the unique challenges of managing endocrine disorders in patients with obesity. They discuss the complexities of medication dosing and efficacy, diagnostic limitations, and barriers to lifestyle change, along with the long-term management of diabetes, PCOS, and thyroid disease and their impact on metabolic and reproductive health. The conversation also highlights exciti

Episode 120: Obesity and Endocrinology with Dr. Megha Poddar

In this fifth episode of our eight part series, Dr. Allison Rhodes is joined by Dr. Megha Poddar, MD, FRCPC, DABOM, to explore how obesity intersects with hormone health. Together, they examine the complex relationship between obesity and endocrine function, highlighting how hormonal imbalances influence metabolic and reproductive health. Dr. Poddar discusses key conditions linked to obesity, including insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes, MASLD/MASH, metabolic syndrome, thyroid disorders, and

Episode 119: Obesity and Gynecologic Care – Challenges and Advances

Hosted by Dr. Allison Rhodes, this exciting new 8 part series explores how obesity intersects with a wide range of medical specialties. In each episode, we’ll dive into the challenges and opportunities for improving patient care when addressing obesity in different clinical contexts. In this fourth episode, Dr. Allison Rhodes is joined again by Dr. Kimberley Sampson-Paine to explore the unique challenges and advances in gynecological care for patients with obesity. Building on the foundation of

Episode 118: Obesity and Gynecologic Care with Dr. Sampson-Paine

Hosted by Dr. Allison Rhodes, this exciting new 8 part series explores how obesity intersects with a wide range of medical specialties. In each episode, we’ll dive into the challenges and opportunities for improving patient care when addressing obesity in different clinical contexts. In this third episode, Dr. Allison Rhodes is joined by Dr. Kimberley Sampson-Paine to explore how obesity impacts women’s reproductive health. They discuss key gynecological conditions, including menstrual irregular

Episode 117: Obesity and Cardiac Care – Challenges and Advances

Hosted by Dr. Allison Rhodes, this exciting new 8-part series explores how obesity intersects with a wide range of medical specialties. In each episode, we’ll dive into the challenges and opportunities for improving patient care when addressing obesity in different clinical contexts. In this second episode, we return to the world of cardiac care with Dr. Alison Bailey. Dr. Rhodes and Dr. Bailey discuss cardiac complications associated with obesity and explore the latest advances in treatment and

Episode 116: Obesity and Cardiac Care with Dr. Allison Bailey

Hosted by Dr. Allison Rhodes, this exciting new 8 part series explores how obesity intersects with a wide range of medical specialties. In each episode, we’ll dive into the challenges and opportunities for improving patient care when addressing obesity in different clinical contexts. In our premiere episode, we turn our focus to cardiac care with Dr. Alison Bailey, a leading voice in cardiovascular medicine. Together, Dr. Rhodes and Dr. Bailey unpack how obesity impacts heart health, the unique

Episode 115: Clinical Conversations: Evidence Based Management of MASLD and MASH in Patients with Obesity

In this Episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings engages in a discussion with Dr. Scott Isaacs a highlighted speaker from the Obesity Medicine 2025 Conference session Evidence-Based Management of MASLD and MASH in Patients with Obesity. In this episode, they will explore practical strategies for early identification and risk stratification, as well as evidence-based lifestyle and pharmacological interventions for the treatment of MASLD and MA

Episode 114: Clinical Conversations: Emotional Brain Training

In this Episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings engages in a discussion with Dr. Laurel Mellin a highlighted speaker from the Obesity Medicine 2025 Conference session Emotional Brain Training: Treat the Stress Response for Lasting Weight Loss. In this episode, they will explore the physiological roots of stress eating and the importance of integrating behavioral approaches into obesity treatment. Dr. Mellin introduces Emotional Brain Trainin

Episode 113: Article Reviews: Optimizing nutrition, diet, and lifestyle communication in GLP-1 medication therapy for weight management

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC interviews David Despain, MSc/MSc, CFS. Our experts discuss the Obesity Pillars Article Optimizing nutrition, diet, and lifestyle communication in GLP-1 medication therapy for weight management: A qualitative research study with registered dietitians for which David is a co-author. Obesity Pillars is the official Gold Open Access journal of the Obesity Medicine Association, a