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Comprehensive obesity management ideally should utilize a spectrum of treatments -- nutrition therapy, physical activity, behavior modifications and medical interventions such as medication management. Medical nutrition therapy is an essential pillar regarding treatment of patients with obesity. Nutrition quality is just as critical as calorie reduction in obesity treatment. By reducing hunger signals, patients may find it easier to adhere to their nutritional goals. The Mediterranean diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and plant-forward diets each offer distinct benefits and varying levels of evidence supporting their role in obesity care. Source https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32059053/ The Mediterranean diet has the most consistent evidence for weight management and cardiometabolic benefits. The effect of the DASH diet with supervised physical activity decreases body weight, waist circumference, and fat mass. (Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go... ) When guiding patients on dietary choices, it is essential to consider cost and accessibility. For clinicians seeking additional guidance, the 2024 OMA Obesity Algorithm—Important Principles for the Effective Treatment of Patients with Obesity is a valuable resource and is free for OMA members.

This ignited her passion for obesity medicine and created the path for a new chapter in her medical career. One of the most pressing challenges she encountered was time: traditional office visits weren’t long enough to address the multifaceted nature of obesity. Ng recognized the potential of virtual group visits. The idea was first sparked by a colleague’s remark about the absence of group visits in medical weight loss. However, it was a patient’s longing for the sense of community they once found in a popular community-based weight loss program that solidified her vision. When she proposed a virtual weight management program, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Ng saw someone like herself successfully conducting group visits every day. Ng fine-tune her group visits. Ng faced significant challenges in adapting group visits to the unique realities of her practice and organization. Since launching her virtual group weight management program, the impact has been profound. Patients appreciate the accountability, community, and interactive nature of the visits.

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), contributing to hypertension, dyslipidemia, and metabolic dysfunction. Effective Treatment Strategies for Reducing Cardiovascular Risk A comprehensive approach to obesity treatment can significantly lower cardiovascular risk. Pharmacotherapy plays a critical role in obesity management, particularly for patients at high cardiovascular risk. SGLT2 inhibitors, originally developed for diabetes management, have also shown promise in obesity treatment and cardiovascular protection. These medications offer an innovative approach to obesity and cardiovascular disease management, providing an alternative to or adjunct to traditional lipid-lowering and antihypertensive therapies. The Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) provides a comprehensive Obesity Algorithm® , which outlines individualized treatment strategies, including pharmacologic options tailored to patients with cardiovascular comorbidities. These guidelines reinforce the necessity of an individualized, multidisciplinary approach to obesity management in patients with existing heart disease. Obesity and cardiovascular disease are intricately linked, making obesity management a crucial component of cardiovascular risk reduction. OMA Resources for Clinicians For clinicians seeking to enhance their expertise in obesity and cardiovascular disease management, the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) offers a variety of resources.

Dr. Leslie Golden’s journey into obesity medicine was shaped by both personal experience and a deep-rooted passion for improving patient care.

Discover effective lipedema treatment options health providers can use to better support patients and improve long-term outcomes.

Learn about the common symptoms associated with leptin resistance and the best ways to treat patients affected by this issue in our comprehensive guide.

This article found that obesity in childhood is significantly associated with later development of mental health disorders in adolescence, highlighting the importance of early intervention to address both physical and psychological health.

Obesity is a complex, chronic disease that is a major risk factor for other cardiovascular, renal and metabolic conditions, including liver disease and cardiovascular disease. Sandy Sommer, Head of the Therapeutic Area for Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic at Boehringer Ingelheim, explains why it is vital that we view obesity and related metabolic conditions through the lens of connectivity.

Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is an effective intervention for treating pediatric obesity, but access remains limited. This review examines the latest guidelines from the professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, highlighting patient selection, surgical options and the role of telehealth in expanding care for children and adolescents with severe obesity.