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We love visiting Denver due to its unique cultural discoveries and unique outdoor spaces. While Denver is famous for having one of the most walkable downtowns in the US, we also visit the city for our favorite spots like Little Man Ice Cream, Queen City Coffee, and Rosenberg's Bagels. This year, we had another reason to be excited about Denver: it hosted the Obesity Medicine Conference 2024!

Dr. Raghuveer Vedala always knew he wanted to make a difference in people's lives and his interest in healthcare came from his own experiences with the field. As a child, Dr. Vedala struggled with juvenile epilepsy. While he didn't fully grasp it at the time, he later realized that the support and dedication of his healthcare providers left an undeniable mark on him. Their compassion fueled a desire in young Raghuveer to pursue a career in healthcare.

Volume 10 features predictions in obesity medicine, a joint expert review from the OMA and the National Lipid Association , commentary on a weight bias internalization tool for use in pregnancy, and more. Future of Obesity Medicine: Fearless 5-year Predictions for 2029 by OMA Committee Chairs This annual predictions article provides a "time capsule" of thoughts from OMA leaders and members regarding the potential future of obesity medicine in five years. Read Article Evaluating the effectiveness and underlying mechanism of incretin-based treatment for hypothalamic obesity: A narrative review Authors: Dionysios V. Read Article Obesity Pillars ® Journal Obesity Pillars® is an open-access online-only journal published by the Obesity Medicine Association in collaboration with Elsevier.

The Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) announced its 2024 Award Winners at the recent Obesity Medicine 2024 conference in Denver, CO this April. ABOM Candidate of the Year Award Presented to the OMA member who scored the highest on the American Board of Obesity Medicine Certification Examination Recipient: Joseph Brewster, MD The Steelman-Seim Educator Award for Excellence in Academics For excellence in academics Recipient: Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA Dr.

Collaborative course available from the AANP and the OMA.

Obesity Pillars Journal Volume 9 A Summary of Included Articles Once-weekly semaglutide administered after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: Effects on body weight, glycemic control, and measured nutritional metrics in Japanese patients having both obesity and type 2 diabetes This study investigated the impact of once-weekly semaglutide treatment after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in 29 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Motivational interviewing for weight management among college students during COVID-19: An exploratory randomized controlled trial During the COVID-19 pandemic, obesity rates among U.S. Read Article Patient perceptions of three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging technology and traditional methods used to assess anthropometry The study discusses the limitations of traditional obesity assessment methods, like Body Mass Index (BMI), which fail to accurately reflect individual body composition variations, and highlights the societal and personal challenges faced by individuals in managing their weight, including stigma and reluctance to engage with healthcare services. It introduces three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging as a non-invasive, precise alternative for assessing human body shape and composition, suggesting it could improve engagement with weight management services by providing a more detailed and less stigmatizing assessment. Read Article Effects of phentermine / topiramate extended-release, phentermine, and placebo on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in adults with overweight or obesity: A randomized, multicenter, double-blind study While anti-obesity medications such as orlistat and glucagon-like peptide (GLP) receptor agonists may reduce blood pressure, the prescribing information for sympathomimetic agents such as phentermine (PHEN) or Phentermine + Topiramate (PHENT/TPM) warn of potential adverse reactions in raising blood pressure. The study focused on the blood pressure-lowering effects of a phentermine and topiramate combination (PHEN/TPM) in overweight and obese patients, comparing its efficacy to placebo and phentermine alone.

Today, there's renewed optimism due to the emergence of GLP1-based drug therapies like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide), which demonstrate remarkable effectiveness for weight and health. Unfortunately, many of the available alternatives, like compounded versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide, are not what they are advertised to be. These companies stated that they do not sell the active ingredient to compounding pharmacies, and substances made or distributed by compounding pharmacies or other healthcare practitioners that claim to be semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) or tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, quality, or efficacy. For more information, see the following details: Compounded peptides: An Obesity Medicine Association Position Statement - ScienceDirect | Obesity Medicine Association Medications Containing Semaglutide Marketed for Type 2 Diabetes or Weight Loss | FDA Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers | FDA Open Letter Regarding the Use of Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) and Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) | Eli Lilly and Company Responsible Use Letter | Novo Nordisk Things You Should Know About Compounded Anti-Obesity (AOM) Medications | Obesity Medicine Association

The recent results of the SELECT Study published in the New England Journal of Medicine provide invaluable insights into the complex disease of obesity. The report has prompted several of the country’s leading obesity expert organizations, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA), The Obesity Society (TOS), the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), and the STOP Obesity Alliance (STOP), to join together in issuing the following statement:

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…