Obesity: A Disease

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 challenges cardiologists face in treating patients with obesity, and the opportunities for collaboration across specialties to improve outcomes. This podcast offers 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. To claim credit please visit the OMA Academy.  *This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Novo Nordisk Inc. Episode Guest: Alison Bailey, MD, FAACVPR, FACC, FASPC, Chief of Cardiology for Centennial Heart at Parkridge in Chattanooga, Tennessee and a Physician Director of Cardiovascular Disease for HCA Healthcare Host: Allison Rhodes, MD, FOMA, Obesity Medicine Physician with the Comprehensive Weight Management Program at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center  

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 MASH. Episode Guests: Scott Isaacs, MD, FACP, FACE, DABOM

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 Training (EBT) as a tool to rewire stress circuits, highlighting how addressing the emotional brain can support long-term weight loss and improve overall brain health. Episode Guests: Laurel Mellin, PhD

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, available exclusively online.  In our article review podcasts, we carefully select articles from the latest version of Obesity Pillars, which is devoted to the publication of clinical and evidence-based research for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other health care clinicians in the field of obesity medicine. Obesity Pillars can be found at https://www.journals.elsevier.com/obesity-pillars. We then discuss this new science with obesity experts. To access other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine, please visit: www.obesitymedicine.org Episode Guest: David Despain, MSc/MSc, CFS Related Resources: Optimizing nutrition, diet, and lifestyle communication in GLP-1 medication therapy for weight management: A qualitative research study with registered dietitians https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000457 

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC interviews Dr. Sara Karjoo, MD, CPE, FOMA, DABOM. Our experts discuss the Obesity Pillars Article Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in children with obesity: An Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) and expert joint perspective 2025 for which Dr. Karjoo is a co-author. Obesity Pillars is the official Gold Open Access journal of the Obesity Medicine Association, available exclusively online.  In our article review podcasts, we carefully select articles from the latest version of Obesity Pillars, which is devoted to the publication of clinical and evidence-based research for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other health care clinicians in the field of obesity medicine. Obesity Pillars can be found at https://www.journals.elsevier.com/obesity-pillars. We then discuss this new science with obesity experts. To access other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine, please visit: www.obesitymedicine.org Episode Guests: Sara Karjoo, MD, CPE, FOMA, DABOM Related Resources: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in children with obesity: An Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) and expert joint perspective 2025 - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368125000087  

In this Episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings sits down with Dr. Allen Rader to discuss the fascinating history of obesity care. From the early days of understanding and treating obesity to today’s evidence-based approaches, they explore how the field has evolved over the decades. The conversation delves into key turning points in research and treatment, highlighting the milestones that have shaped modern obesity medicine. Episode Guests: Allen Rader, MD, MFOMA

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC interviews Dr. Kimberly Gudzune, MD, MPH, FTOS. Our experts discuss the Obesity Pillars Article Duties, tasks, knowledge and skills of an obesity medicine physician: A practice analysis, for which Dr. Gudzune is the primary author. Obesity Pillars is the official Gold Open Access journal of the Obesity Medicine Association, available exclusively online. In our article review podcasts, we carefully select articles from the latest version of Obesity Pillars, which is devoted to the publication of clinical and evidence-based research for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other health care clinicians in the field of obesity medicine. Obesity Pillars can be found at https://www.journals.elsevier.com/obesity-pillars. We then discuss this new science with obesity experts. To access other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine, please visit: www.obesitymedicine.org   Episode Guests: Kimberly A. Gudzune, MD, MPH, FTOS  Related Resources: Duties, tasks, knowledge and skills of an obesity medicine physician: A practice analysis: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000494 

In this episode, Executive Editor of the Obesity Medicine Association’s ‘Obesity Pillars’ online journal, Dr. Suzanne Cuda, interviews Dr. Sarah Armstrong and Dr. Aaron Kelly. Our pediatric obesity experts discuss the recently released recommendations regarding definition and criteria of clinical obesity by the Lancet Commission and concerns about how these recommendations may impact the care of pediatric patients with obesity. Episode Guests: Aaron S. Kelly, Ph.D. Professor of Pediatrics Minnesota American Legion and Auxiliary Chair in Children's Health Co-Director, Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine University of Minnesota Medical School   Sarah Armstrong, MD Chief, Division of General Pediatrics Duke University Medical Center Director, Duke Children’s Healthy Lifestyles Program Professor of Pediatrics Related Resources: Obesity Medicine Association Raises Concerns Over Lancet Commission’s New Recommendations on Obesity Diagnosis

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC interviews Dr. Yuval Pinto, MD. Our experts discuss Obesity Medicine Fellowship and the Obesity Pillars article, Obesity Medicine as a Subspecialty and United States Certification – A Review. Obesity Pillars is the official Gold Open Access journal of the Obesity Medicine Association, available exclusively online. In our article review podcasts, we carefully select articles from the latest version of Obesity Pillars, which is devoted to the publication of clinical and evidence-based research for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other health care clinicians in the field of obesity medicine. Obesity Pillars can be found at https://www.journals.elsevier.com/obesity-pillars. We then discuss this new science with obesity experts. To access other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine, please visit: www.obesitymedicine.org   Episode Guests: Yuval Pinto,MD, Board Certified Family Medicine Physician, Obesity Medicine fellow, Johns Hopkins University Related Resources: Obesity Medicine as a Subspecialty and United States Certification – A Review: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368123000086

In this episode Dr. Suzanne Cuda, Executive Editor of Obesity Pillars, sits down with experts Dr. Roohi Kharofa and Dr. Valerie O’Hara to explore the highly anticipated 2025 updates to the Pediatric Obesity Algorithm®. Join us as they break down the latest advancements, key clinical updates, and what these changes mean for pediatric obesity care. Stay ahead of the curve with expert insights from the Obesity Medicine Association! Episode Guests Roohi Kharofa, MD, MPH, Valerie O’Hara, DO, Related Resources Pediatric Obesity Resources: https://obesitymedicine.org/resources/pediatric-resources/