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The Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) is the oldest and largest organization of clinicians in the obesity treatment space. In 2024, it partnered with Project ECHO to create the program entitled, Treating the Disease of Obesity. Ethos of this program includes (1) obesity is a chronic and relapsing disease and (2) the use of person-first language (eg. “the patient with obesity” instead of “the obese patient”). The first session was in February 2024 by Dr. Angela Fitch, the Past President of OMA. She presented the four core pillars of clinical obesity treatment. Content from this presentation is described in this blog article.

Growing up as the youngest of three children to high school teachers, Dr. Caissa Troutman was immersed in the importance of education from an early age. With a curiosity and a love for learning, Dr. Troutman was naturally drawn to medicine. "I think that was why I gravitated towards medicine," she reflects. "It was learning to understand how things worked—the puzzle of the human body."

In an effort to combat obesity, the Mississippi Obesity Society stands as a strong example of the dedication and compassion that is needed to address a disease like obesity. Founded just a year ago, this dynamic organization is dedicated to improving the lives of Mississippians by enhancing health awareness and access to resources.

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.