Get your blood pumping during an early morning fun run led by one of our physical activity experts.

Visit the exhibitors and explore the latest technologies, products, and services available to enhance and improve your practice.

Connecting The Workplace And Life Through F.U.N.

Paul Long

Organizations around the globe are challenged right now to create meaningful and memorable experiences in a society that feels somewhat disconnected. Speaker, author, podcaster and master of shenanigans, Paul Long leverages his concept of "Fundamism" to deliver a FUN keynote that will provide attendees with practical takeaways to improve mindset and interactions with others.

Paul's message will lead you through a wealth of emotions as you laugh, think, and have FUN as a team. Through his FUNdamentals, Paul will empower you to make strides in improving your quality of life at home and work. When applied, these tactical behaviors are proven to create more joy, FUN and fulfillment in life while improving key performance indicators like customer experience, employee engagement, performance and a whole host of others.

At a time where society appears to be more focused on what's not working as opposed to what is, embrace the opportunity to experience "what's GOOD!”

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify ways to substantially reduce fear of judgement, anxiety, discomfort and negative self-talk.
2. Learn how to create meaningful interactions by showcasing a genuine interest in people, connecting at a human level, understanding the needs of others and meeting individual and an enhanced quality of life by reigniting your childlike exuberance.s where they desire to be met.
3. Establish next steps in manifesting GOOD energy, great relationships, improved business results

Angela Fitch, MD

The regulatory systems that affect obesity are complex and involve both peripheral and central components. Existing therapeutic options for obesity management often target one or more of these underlying mechanisms. The utilization of complementary therapies – an approach commonly used in other metabolic diseases – is an under-researched but evolving field in obesity management. The goal of this session will be to explore the present data for complementary dual or triple therapy in obesity management.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize the mechanistic differences and potentially. complementary pathways for anti-obesity therapies.
2. Review and evaluate the existing data for combination therapy for pharmacologic and device interventions.
3. Review and evaluate the existing data for combination therapy for surgical interventions.

Visit the exhibitors and explore the latest technologies, products, and services available to enhance and improve your practice. Meet with exhibitors, try samples, and discover new tools to use when treating patients with obesity.

Sonali Paul, MD, MS

This lecture will discuss the evaluation and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a case-based format. The role of insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of the disease will be briefly reviewed in addition to associated co-morbidities. The evaluation of a patient with suspected    NAFLD will be discussed, including ruling out other causes of fatty liver, addressing metabolic co-morbidities, and risk stratification NAFLD (i.e assessing for advanced fibrosis). Treatment strategies focused on liver health will also be addressed including the role of lifestyle and weight loss, medications (including metformin, pioglitazone, vitamin E, and emerging roles of semaglutide), and the utility of bariatric surgery. The session will also cover when it would be appropriate to refer to a specialist.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the key role insulin resistance has on the development of NAFLD.
2. Evaluate patients with NAFLD with practical tools that will allow to risk stratify their liver disease and know when to refer to a specialist.
3. Treat patients with NAFLD with an emphasis on modifying their metabolic risk factors that will have an impact on liver disease even in the absence of weight loss.
4. Identify medications that can be used in the treatment of NAFLD.

Kelly Martens, PhD

This session will provide an overview of binge eating and its impact on weight outcomes, teach attendees how to assess for binge eating and to differentiate between binge eating and other problematic eating behaviors, and provide practical strategies for treating binge eating disorder including evidenced-based behavioral treatment and pharmacotherapy. Attendees will learn how to approach binge eating from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, and when to refer for more intensive intervention

Learning Objectives:

1. Define and describe binge-eating disorder (BED) versus other problematic eating behaviors and disorders
2. Describe the impact of BED
3. Apply evidenced-based treatment for BED
4. Discuss practical strategies for any clinician:
   –Assessing for binge eating and triggers
   –Brief intervention and referral for treatment

OMA Members Only

Details coming soon!

Take in the architecture of Chicago as you explore the city on a fast-paced walk led by one of our physical activity experts. Learn different body weight and resistance band exercises you can teach to your patients.

*This event is worth 1 CME/CE credits. Attendance is optional, but you will only earn the additional 1 CME/CE credit by attending Experts on the Move.

Visit the exhibitors and explore the latest technologies, products, and services available to enhance and improve your practice. Meet with exhibitors, try samples, and discover new tools to use when treating patients with obesity.

STEP, The First of Many Steps Toward the Future of Obesity Pharmacotherapy

Robert Kushner, MD, MS, DABOM

The Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity (STEP) Trials have been described as a game-changer for obesity care. In this presentation, Dr. Kushner will review the efficacy and safety outcomes of the 4 STEP trials and their importance for patient care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the semaglutide 2.4 mg STEP Trials and key take-aways.
2. Discuss other emerging pharmacotherapies for obesity.
3. Explain the importance of the behavior-drug interface.

Visit the exhibitors and explore the latest technologies, products, and services available to enhance and improve your practice. Meet with exhibitors, try samples, and discover new tools to use when treating patients with obesity.

Management of Obesity in Type 1 Diabetes

 Sandra Sobel, MD 

Management of obesity in diabetes is not exclusive to those who have type 2 diabetes. There is a growing prevalence of individuals with type 1 diabetes who also have obesity. Although guidelines for management in this special population are not robust. This lecture will present the current and best practices related to the management of obesity in individuals with type 1 diabetes. This patient population is specifically in search of appropriate exercise, nutrition, and medication guidance strategies that can effectively treat their obesity and not put their glycemic control at risk. This session will discuss specific data related to exercise recommendations and strategies for mitigating hypoglycemia, varied nutrition approaches, (including whether a ketogenic diet is appropriate in this setting) as well as the safety and efficacy of medications for obesity management such as amylin agonists, GLP-1RA, and SGLT2i in individuals who have type 1 diabetes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define the prevalence of obesity in individuals with type 1 diabetes.
2. Provide recommendations for insulin dose adjustments after aerobic activity and resistance training.
3. Discuss how different nutrition approaches can affect glycemic control in someone with type 1 diabetes.
4. Demonstrate responsible use of pharmacotherapy for obesity management in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

The Influence of Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes

Ben Bikman, PhD

Insulin resistance has become the world’s most common health disorders and Type 2 Diabetes is recognized as a leading killer in the United States. To understand T2DM, we need to understand insulin resistance, the true foundation of the disease. This talk will provide a basic and clinical definition of insulin resistance and explain the process whereby insulin resistance turns into type T2DM.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the two pillars of insulin resistance as hyperinsulinemia and compromised insulin signaling.
2. Learn the role of fat cell hypertrophy in the origins of insulin resistance.
3. Understand the role of the muscle, liver, and pancreas in the transition into type 2 diabetes from insulin resistance.

Genetic Testing and Obesity: Practical Approaches and Clinician Perspectives

This session is sponsored by Rhythm Pharmaceuticals. With the increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide, genetic testing is critical to identify patients with rare genetic diseases of obesity. Patients with rare variants in key energy-regulating pathways often do not show long-term weight loss with traditional management strategies. Genetic testing is needed to improve patient care and increase our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of obesity. In this symposium, Dr. Jennifer Paisley and Dr. Emily Cooper will share their expertise with genetic testing for rare genetic diseases of obesity and provide practical approaches for identifying testing candidates and discussing testing with patients.

Learning objectives:

1. Provide background and steps for determining which patients are ideal candidates for genetic testing for rare genetic diseases of obesity
2. Outline aspects of patient education and expert experience with counseling and care related to genetic testing and diagnosis

Treating Obesity in the Older Patient

John Batsis, MD, FACP, ASGF, FGSA, FTOS

Older individuals with obesity are at risk for both the metabolic consequences of central abdominal obesity and the adverse effects of fat mass. Identifying obesity in elderly patients may be obscured by loss of lean body mass and adipose redistribution with aging, rendering BMI as a diagnostic marker less reliable. In this population, treatment options are often limited by coexisting medical conditions, lack of evidence for the benefits of obesity treatment interventions, and potential negative effects of weight loss on lean body mass, bone mineral density, and mortality. This lecture will address strategies to improve health and physical function in elderly patients with obesity while minimizing potential pitfalls.

Learning objectives:

1. Describe the consequences of obesity in older patients.
2. Identifying Obesity in Clinical Practice and the Limits of BMI as a measure in older adults.
3. Recognize the benefits of weight loss in older adults.
4. Develop a treatment plan that optimizes health and physical function and minimizes potential adverse consequences of weight loss in elderly individuals.

Post-Post-Postpartum Care: Downstream risks of obesity in pregnancy

Margaret Dow, MD

Obesity in pregnancy is extremely common and extremely difficult to treat. Furthermore, the downstream effects on mother and child are wide-reaching. As women’s healthcare milieu adapt to less frequent Pap testing, as well as other reductions in face to face care, awareness of these risks and identification of appropriate targets for mitigating risks is essential. This session will review the pregnancy risks associated with obesity and the complicated interplay of associated long-term risks from pregnancy conditions in the setting of long-term risks of obesity alone. Interactive components include generating diagnoses associated with risk, estimating long term risk, and then applying the data to these areas of potential misconception. Participants will leave the session with a better understanding of the complexity of risks as well as an understanding of the long-term multidisciplinary team needs for adequate care of women with obesity who have experienced pregnancy complications.

Learning Objectives:

1. List the long-term health risks associated with common pregnancy complications.
2. Identify the magnitude of increased risks of long-term pregnancy complication with concomitant obesity.
3. Describe appropriate methods and intervals for long term risk assessment for women with obesity and prior pregnancy complications.

Visit the exhibitors and explore the latest technologies, products, and services available to enhance and improve your practice. Meet with exhibitors, try samples, and discover new tools to use when treating patients with obesity.

Eating Disorders Post Bariatric Surgery

Abby Bleistein, MD

Eating disorders are common in patients with obesity, and even more so in patients seeking medical or surgical care for obesity. The prevalence of disordered eating behavior in patients with overweight or obesity is 29% in women and 15% of men. Screening prior to bariatric surgery is meant to identify these disordered eating behaviors, however, not all programs require pre-operative screening for disordered eating, and often patients underreport symptoms in the screening process. Pre-operatively, binge eating disorder, night eating syndrome, food addiction, Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED), and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) can be associated with obesity. Post-operatively, these conditions may continue, or may appear, as well as symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Using case examples to demonstrate the impact of eating disorders post bariatric surgery, we will review the current research on prevalence, complications, and treatment of eating disorders after bariatric surgery.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define criteria for eating disorders affecting patients with obesity seeking medical and surgical treatment.
2. Understand the prevalence of eating disorders in patients after bariatric surgery.
3. Conduct screening for eating disorders in patients seeking treatment for obesity.
4. Understand complications of eating disorders in patients after bariatric surgery.
5. Describe treatment for eating disorders prior to and after bariatric surgery.

The Satiety Index of Dieting

Justin Tondt, MD 

This session will discuss the concept of the “satiety index” of foods as well as go through case studies of implementing the “satiety index” with patients to achieve an ad-libitum calorie deficit.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the determinants of satiety as well as the strengths and limitations of the satiety index.
2. Analyze patients’ dietary history in terms of satiety index.
3. Construct meal plans to generate an ad libitum calorie deficit for patients.

Take in the architecture of Chicago as you explore the city on a fast-paced walk led by one of our physical activity experts. Learn different body weight and resistance band exercises you can teach to your patients.

*This event is worth 1 CME/CE credits. Attendance is optional, but you will only earn the additional 1 CME/CE credit by attending Experts on the Move.

Visit the exhibitors and explore the latest technologies, products, and services available to enhance and improve your practice. Meet with exhibitors, try samples, and discover new tools to use when treating patients with obesity.

STEP, The First of Many Steps Toward the Future of Obesity Pharmacotherapy

Robert Kushner, MD, MS, FACP, DABOM

The Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity (STEP) Trials have been described as a game-changer for obesity care. In this presentation, Dr. Kushner will review the efficacy and safety outcomes of the 4 STEP trials and their importance for patient care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the semaglutide 2.4 mg STEP Trials and key take-aways.
2. Discuss other emerging pharmacotherapies for obesity.
3. Explain the importance of the behavior-drug interface.

Visit the exhibitors and explore the latest technologies, products, and services available to enhance and improve your practice. Meet with exhibitors, try samples, and discover new tools to use when treating patients with obesity.

Obesity Pharmacotherapy: Challenges & Barriers Using Anti-Obesity Medications

Ania Jastreboff, MD, PhD

One in five adolescents in the Unites States have obesity. The presentation will review currently available anti-obesity medications for the treatment of adolescents with obesity, key concepts in using these medications, as well as considerations for future therapeutics.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the available anti-obesity medications for the treatment of adolescents with obesity.
2. Understand key concepts in using anti-obesity medications for the treatment.
3. Gain insight into considerations for future therapeutics for obesity treatment.

Broadening the Lens of Comprehensive Adolescent & Bariatric Surgery

Sabrena Noria, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, FASMBS

Description Coming Soon!

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand that implicit weight bias exists and is worsening over time.
2. Recognize that healthcare related weight bias is encountered at all levels of training and amongst different specialties.
3. Discuss the negative impact of weight-bias on the health of our patients.
4. Provide recommendations for engaging patients with weight problems.

Genetic Testing and Obesity: Practical Approaches and Clinician Perspectives

This session is sponsored by Rhythm Pharmaceuticals. With the increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide, genetic testing is critical to identify patients with rare genetic diseases of obesity. Patients with rare variants in key energy-regulating pathways often do not show long-term weight loss with traditional management strategies. Genetic testing is needed to improve patient care and increase our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of obesity. In this symposium, Dr. Jennifer Paisley and Dr. Emily Cooper will share their expertise with genetic testing for rare genetic diseases of obesity and provide practical approaches for identifying testing candidates and discussing testing with patients.

Learning objectives:

1. Provide background and steps for determining which patients are ideal candidates for genetic testing for rare genetic diseases of obesity
2. Outline aspects of patient education and expert experience with counseling and care related to genetic testing and diagnosis

Safe and Effective Physical Activity in Pediatric Patients with Obesity

Melinda Sothern, PhD

The presentation, Safe and Effective Physical Activity in Pediatric Patients with Obesity, encompasses decades of scientific research and clinical experience profiling the physical and metabolic limitations of youth with obesity. The recommendations contained within are based on current scientific evidence and clinical experience working with thousands of children and adolescents with obesity for over 30 years. This presentation will provide accurate, scientifically sound and practical guidance that clinical health care providers, educators, public health and fitness professionals may utilize to promote physical activity in children and adolescents with overweight conditions including those with significant obesity and chronic health conditions such as hypertension, asthma and type 2 diabetes. The session will also present a current best practices model for implementing clinical and recreational based physical activity interventions for preventing and managing pediatric obesity based on decades of research experience by leaders in the field.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify appropriate and reliable physical activity assessment tools for pediatric patients and their families.
2. Identify physiologic and metabolic factors that limit physical activity in pediatric patients who have overweight or obesity.
3. Identify potential biochemical, anthropometric, behavioral and fitness outcomes related to increased physical activity in patients with overweight or obesity including use of evidence-based recommendations and/or protocols for physical activity in the treatment of the pediatric patient who has overweight or obesity.

Becoming Literate: Addressing Key Determinants of Physical Activity

Michele LaBotz, MD

Physical activity counseling is a challenge for many clinicians, and typically focuses on increasing the quantity of physical activity, rather than addressing the underlying reasons why patients do not want to move. Physical literacy is a key determinant of physical activity levels, particularly in the pediatric population. This session will provide strategies for assessing physical literacy during an office visit, and remediation plans for patients who are struggling with physical activity.

Learning Objectives:

1. Screen for physical literacy in children 8-12 years old during office visits for routine health maintenance, or for obesity-related concerns.
2. Convey to patients and families the role physical literacy plays as a determinant of physical activity.
3. Incorporate fundamental principles of physical literacy, particularly motivation and confidence, into physical activity counseling for pediatric patients.
4.  Develop treatment strategies for patients at risk for low physical literacy.

Physical Activity in Pediatric Patients with Obesity Panel

Michelle LaBotz, MD and Melinda Sothern, PhD

Session Description Coming Soon!

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss strategies screening for physical literacy in children and adolescents.
2. Review your questions regarding physical activity in pediatric patients with obesity.

Mitigating Bias in Clinical Care: Lessons Learned from Pediatric Nephrology

O. N. Ray Bignall, MD, FAAP, FASN

Implicit bias in medicine and society play an important role in the care delivered to patients. Learning to mitigate implicit bias is critical to providing equitable care to children with obesity and those with chronic medical conditions (like kidney disease). This lecture will focus on the reasons why identifying implicit bias is so important, and strategies for mitigating bias in clinical care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define the concept of implicit bias (also called “unconscious bias”), and differentiate it from explicit biases (e.g. racism, sexism, homophobia.
2. Identify examples of implicit bias in health care and society.
3. Understand strategies for mitigating implicit biases in our practice. 

Beyond Diet and Activity: How Social Determinants of Health, Structural Racism, and Adverse Childhood Experiences Influence Obesity in Children and Adolescents

Giselle Blair, MD, MPH

Exposure to chronic stress due to low food security, housing instability, and limited financial resources are associated with obesity. Structural and societal factors threaten health equity and worsen health disparities in many children and adolescents. Experiences with adverse and traumatic events also negatively affect health and quality of life. Using a case study, this presentation will examine how societal factors and exposure to trauma contribute to obesity through disruption of energy homeostasis and regulation. In addition, participants will learn which epigenetic factors are associated with an increased risk of obesity. The presentation will conclude by providing clinicians with recommendations to support trauma-informed care in the treatment of children and adolescents with obesity.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define social determinants of health, adverse childhood experiences, and structural racisms.
2. Describe normal energy homeostasis and the concept of allostatic load.
3. Identify strategies to support trauma-informed care in the treatment of obesity.

Care at the Crossroads: Social Determinants of Health, Implicit Bias, Obesity, and Weight Bias Panel

Giselle Blair, MD, MPH and O. N. Ray Bignall, MD, FAAP, FASN

Session Description Coming Soon!

Learning Objectives:

1. Review how social determinants of health, structural racism, implicit and explicit bias impacts pediatric obesity.
2. Discuss your questions related to bias, structural racism, and trauma-informed care with experts.

Choose a table with a topic that interests you and spend breakfast discussing that topic with an expert and a small group of other clinicians.

*This event is worth 0.75 CME/CE credits. In addition to class sessions, attendance at this event is required to earn the full 17.5 CME/CE credits for the Fall Obesity Summit.

Table 1: Meal Replacement with VLCD
Speaker – Ethan Lazarus
Learning Objectives:

• Understand the pros and cons of utilizing meal replacements.
• Learn how to implement a meal replacement program for obesity treatment.

Table 2: Prescribing FDA Approved Anti-obesity Medications
Speaker – Silvana Pannain
Learning Objectives:

• Understand the practical use of current FDA approved anti-obesity agents and their use in patients with complex medical history.
• Discuss a weight centric treatment approach to the obesity related comorbidities.

Table 3: Treating Diabetes in Patients with Obesity
Speaker – Sandra Sobel
Learning Objectives:

• Understand how to approach diabetes medicine selection and titration in individuals with diabetes.

Table 4: Billing and Coding
Speaker – Pinky Maniri
Learning Objectives

• Learn how to bill for Virtual Services (Telehealth visits, Virtual check-ins, and E-visits) for Obesity Medicine Services.
• Understand how to avoid claims rejection, denials and how to pursue appeals for denied claims.

Table 5: Ketogenic Diet
Speaker – Eric Westman
Learning Objectives

• Understand the difference between the “ketogenic diet” for childhood epilepsy and the “low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet” used for obesity and diabetes.
• Enumerate 3 differences between “evidence-based” keto diets and “internet-based” keto diets.

Table 6: DIY Weight Loss Program using OMA Resources
Speaker – Mahtab Ahmed
Learning Objectives:

• Discuss a user-friendly Weight Loss Program using 4 pillars of obesity management.
• Review a HANDy guide for weight management.

Table 7: Treating Obesity in Pediatric Patients
Speaker – Marisa Censani
Learning Objectives

• Review of risk factors for pediatric obesity and complications associated with obesity in children and adolescents.
• Discuss evaluation and management options for pediatric patients with obesity.

Table 8: Working with Students and Residents
Speaker – Nick Pennings
Learning Objectives:

• Identify and apply OMA resources for student and resident obesity education.
• Utilize the OMEC competencies to evaluate student and resident performance.

Table 9: Ask Me Anything
Speaker – Bill McCarthy
Learning Objectives:

• Review the four pillars of clinical obesity treatment.
• Discuss strategies on how to apply the four pillars in treatment to patients.

Table 10: Physical Activity
Speaker – Stand Anderson
Learning Objectives:

• Learn techniques on how to motivate individuals who do not want to exercise.
• Identify the most effective and personal program for your patient.

Break

Harold Bays, MD

The Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) is the clinical leader in obesity medicine.  In its 2021 update, the OMA Obesity Algorithm clarified the role of steps in meeting physical activity recommendations.  OMA also provided guidance regarding cut-off points in body composition analyses.  This session will describe these “rule changes,” and provide perspective how it influences the care of patients with obesity.  

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss sentinel changes to the latest OMA Obesity Algorithm
2. Describe a new classification for percent body fat
3. Describe a new classification for android and visceral fat
4. Apply a new classification for physical activity goals

Break

Nik Dhurandhar, LCEH, MS, PhD

To achieve safer and greater weight loss for greater number of participants, it is important to effectively manage patient care during the follow-up period, once a weight loss program is initiated. An effective continuity-care strategy can substantially influence patient compliance and outcome.  This session will present some common attributes of an effective follow-up plan based on scientific literature and long clinical experience.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize the significance of weight loss-specific medical care during the follow up phase of a weight loss program.
2. Describe the action items for a provider at early, middle and late stage of follow up visits for weight loss.
3. Demonstrate a greater understanding of weight loss facts that patients need to increase compliance.

Eric Westman, MD, MHS

Clinical research into low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diets over the past 20 years have shown repeatedly that a food-based well-formulated, ketogenic diet can be safe and effective for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. In the past few years, the internet has exploded with information about the keto diet with emphasis on sales of keto products. A brief update on clinical research about keto diets, and a survey of “internet keto” diet users will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the components of a well-formulated, real food based, ketogenic diet
2. Discuss the clinical studies supporting the use of a well-formulated ketogenic diet
3. Name 3 “great for keto diet” products that have not been clinically tested

Lunch