Obesity: A Disease

In this episode of Obesity: A Disease, presented by the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA), Dr. Chiadi Ndumele joins the discussion to explore Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome and its implications for obesity care. Learn how the CKM framework and staging system can help clinicians assess cardiovascular risk, identify opportunities for early intervention, and develop individualized treatment strategies. The conversation also examines the impact of weight loss on cardiometabolic outcomes and the role of lifestyle interventions, anti-obesity medications, and bariatric surgery in improving long-term health. Episode Guest: Chiadi Ndumele, MD, PhD, MHS Episode Host: Nicholas Pennings, DO, DABOM, MFOMA, FACOFP, FAAFP Chapters (00:00:01) - Introduction and Case Presentation(00:01:05) - Guest Introduction: Dr. Ndumele's Background(00:02:29) - What is Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome?(00:03:50) - Shifting Drivers of Cardiometabolic Disease(00:04:55) - Underlying Pathophysiology: Inflammation and Insulin Resistance(00:05:48) - How CKM Guidelines Address Interconnected Risk(00:07:21) - CKM Staging System Explained(00:11:14) - Risk Progression, Synergy, and Mortality(00:12:12) - Metrics for Assessing CKM Risk(00:14:11) - Fatty Liver Disease and the Fib-4 Index(00:14:57) - Using the PREVENT Score and Add-On Variables(00:15:57) - Social Deprivation and Health Equity in CKM(00:17:04) - Obesity as a Centerpiece of Cardiometabolic Risk(00:18:11) - How Much Weight Loss Matters for Cardiometabolic Health(00:20:28) - GLP-1 Agents and Weight-Independent Cardiovascular Benefits(00:21:42) - Key Takeaways for Non-Cardiologist Clinicians(00:24:38) - Closing Thoughts and Sign-Off

In this episode of Obesity: A Disease, Dr. Suzanne Cuda, Executive Editor of the Obesity Medicine Association’s Obesity Pillars online journal, interviews Dr. Alaina Vidmar and Dr. Valerie O’Hara about their co-authored article, Using EPSDT to Improve Access to Obesity Pharmacotherapy, published in Obesity Pillars. Together they discuss using the federally mandated Medicated provision, Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) to access coverage for obesity treatment of youth in Medicaid programs. Episode Guests: Alaina Vidmar, MD Valerie O’Hara, DO, FAAP, FOMA, DABOM Episode Host: Suzanne Cuda, MD, FOMA, FAAP Related Resources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368126000422  Chapters (00:00:01) - Introduction and guest introductions(00:02:51) - What is EPSDT?(00:03:38) - Motivation for the review and personal experiences(00:06:58) - Navigating state vs federal Medicaid rules(00:10:17) - Why obesity deserves EPSDT-based treatment(00:13:05) - Fighting bias and stigma through EPSDT(00:13:51) - Finding resources and champions in your state(00:17:44) - Practical steps: denials, appeals, and letters of necessity(00:19:35) - Variability and challenges across insurers(00:22:29) - Transition to adulthood and coverage gaps(00:24:26) - Using comorbidities and creative coverage strategies(00:28:10) - Advocacy: crafting effective appeal letters(00:31:39) - Case study: dose escalation denial example(00:34:32) - Systemic barriers and future data collection(00:37:35) - Comparing EPSDT to Bridge and Balance programs(00:39:36) - Closing thoughts and thanks

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings is joined by Dr. Courtney Younglove to explore OMA’s new Practice Management Algorithm, a practical resource designed to help clinicians navigate the business and operational complexities of obesity medicine practice. The conversation examines the gaps the Practice Management Algorithm was developed to address, how its eight practice management domains can support clinicians across a variety of practice models and career stages, and how the resource can be used to tackle real-world operational and financial challenges. Episode Guest: Courtney Younglove, MD, MSCP, DABOM, FOMA, FACOG, DABOM, Primary Author of the OMA's Practice Management Algorithm Episode Host: Nicholas Pennings, DO, DABOM, MFOMA, FACOFP, FAAFP Chapters (00:00:01) - Obesity a Disease: Practice Management Algorithm(00:01:35) - How to start and grow a medical practice with obesity medicine(00:03:18) - The Practice Management Algorithm for Obesity Medicine(00:06:29) - The Pediatric Outcomes of the ACA(00:07:44) - The role of pediatrics in the health system(00:08:26) - Practice Management Algorithm(00:12:09) - Post-Doctor: The Challenges of Starting a Business(00:13:50) - Obstructive Medicine Practice Management Algorithm(00:22:00) - Obesity a Disease: The Conference Document

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings is joined by Dr. Tracy Norfleet and Dr. Alicia Shellly to discuss how the rapidly evolving landscape of access, insurance coverage, and health equity is shaping obesity care in 2026. Together, they explore the impact of Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance policies on health equity and discuss strategies to ensure advances in obesity care benefit all patients. Episode Guests: Tracy Norfleet, MD, DABOM Alicia Shelly MD, DABOM Episode Host: Nicholas Pennings, DO, DABOM, MFOMA, FACOFP, FAAFP Chapters (00:00:01) - Obesity a Disease: Medical Coverage(00:01:35) - Two physicians discuss obesity and the treatment of obesity patients(00:02:33) - Obesity medication coverage in 2026(00:05:26) - Obesity Health Care Disparities(00:08:45) - How to address weight bias in healthcare(00:13:05) - Obesity Medications Coverage(00:21:51) - Obesity and medical documentation(00:25:14) - Obesity Medicine: Advocacy for Patients

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings is joined by Co-Clinical Education Director, Dr. Kirsten Frederiksen, together, they unpack the physiology behind rapid weight regain after stopping obesity medications, explore the most effective dietary and lifestyle strategies for long-term weight maintenance, and discuss how clinicians can reframe the conversation with patients from the very start of treatment. Episode Guest: Kirsten Frederiksen, MD, MSc, FACP, FOMA, DABOM Episode Host: Nicholas Pennings, DO, DABOM, MFOMA, FACOFP, FAAFP Chapters (00:00:01) - Nutrition for Weight Maintenance after medication(00:01:13) - Weight maintenance is a chronic disease(00:10:12) - Weight regain after lapidomycin therapy(00:14:25) - Physical Activity and Weight Maintenance(00:19:07) - Weight Maintenance with obese patients(00:23:49) - Weight maintenance, 3 nutritional principles(00:26:22) - Obesity a Disease

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings sits down with Dr. Renee Rogers for an insightful discussion on the critical role of muscle preservation during weight loss therapy. Together, they explore the latest evidence surrounding lean mass retention and share practical, evidence-based strategies clinicians can apply to help patients maintain muscle, enhance metabolic health, and achieve more sustainable treatment outcomes. Episode Guest: Renee Rogers, PhD, FACSM, FTOS, and Chair of ACSM’s Strategic Health Initiative (SHI) for Behavior and Chair of ACSM’s International Health & Fitness Summit Episode Host: Nicholas Pennings, DO, DABOM, MFOMA, FACOFP, FAAFP

In this Episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings engages in a discussion with Dr. Sue Benson Davies, exploring evidence-informed strategies to prevent undernutrition during weight loss in the evolving landscape of GLP-1–based care. Together, they examine optimal protein targets, approaches to managing food aversion and diminished appetite, and practical nutrition counseling techniques to support safe and sustainable patient outcomes. Episode Guest: Sue Benson-Davies, PhD, DCN, MPH, RDN, LN, FAND Episode Host: Nicholas Pennings, DO, DABOM, MFOMA, FACOFP, FAAFP

In this Industry Insights episode of Obesity: A Disease, host Dr. Christopher Weber welcomes Dr. Cameron Garber and Dr. Marc Humbert, metabolic testing specialists with Korr Medical Technologies and hosts of the Metabolic Mastery podcast. Dr. Garber and Dr. Humbert join Dr. Christopher Weber for a focused discussion on resting metabolic rate, exploring its role as a vital sign, its application in nutritional planning, and what the future holds for metabolic testing. This episode is sponsored by Korr Medical Technologies. To learn more about Korr’s metabolic test equipment, visit //KORR.com/OMA or visit them at booth #113 at the 2026 Obesity Medicine Conference in San Diego, CA. Episode Guests: Cameron Garber, DPT Marc Humbert, DPT Episode Host: Christopher Weber, MD, FAAP, FACP, CSCS, DABOM, FOMA The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual speakers and do not represent the views or positions of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA). This content is intended for informational purposes only. Chapters (00:00:01) - Obesity a Disease(00:01:25) - Resting metabolic rate (RMR)(00:06:53) - MRK: Metabolism, Science(00:13:12) - Exercise and Weight Loss(00:20:49) - Resting metabolic rate(00:24:21) - Metabolic rate monitoring(00:29:57) - Cost of care, Medicare, private insurance(00:31:51) - Heart disease and weight loss(00:41:06) - Weight Loss on GLP1s(00:49:43) - The Future of Weight Loss and Management(00:53:59) - Weight Management: Obesity, a Disease

In this Industry Insights episode of Obesity: A Disease, host Dr. Christopher Weber welcomes Dr. Kevin Trice, Executive Director in the Global Medical Affairs Division of Cardiometabolic Health at Eli Lilly. Dr. Trice will be speaking today on behalf of Lilly. This material is developed under the direction and sponsorship of Lilly Medical Affairs and is intended for US healthcare professional only. Dr. Trice is an employee of Eli Lilly.  Dr. Kevin Trice joins Dr. Christopher Weber for a focused discussion on the key findings from the SURMOUNT-OSA trial and their implications for clinical practice. Together, they explore how this landmark study informs the evolving management of obesity and obstructive sleep apnea.  This episode is sponsored by Lilly. Episode Guest: Kevin Trice, MD, MBA Episode Host: Christopher Weber, MD, FAAP, FACP, CSCS, DABOM, FOMA Note From the Sponsor *When discussing tirzepatide for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity, it’s important to emphasize that its safety profile mirrors what we’ve seen in obesity and diabetes indications. The most frequent adverse events are gastrointestinal—nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation—typically emerging during dose escalation and generally mild to moderate in severity. While these symptoms often resolve over time, clinicians should monitor for persistence or intolerance, as discontinuation, though uncommon, can occur. Serious but rare risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder disease; patients presenting with severe abdominal pain warrant immediate evaluation. Tirzepatide carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors based on rodent data, with uncertain relevance to humans. It is contraindicated in individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2. Physicians should counsel patients on recognizing symptoms such as neck swelling or persistent hoarseness. Additional precautions include vigilance for severe gastrointestinal symptoms, hypersensitivity reactions, and pancreatitis. Use during pregnancy is not recommended, and effective contraception should be discussed. Finally, consider potential drug interactions and reinforce lifestyle interventions to optimize outcomes alongside pharmacotherapy.*  

In this episode of Obesity: A Disease, Dr. Suzanne Cuda, Executive Editor of the Obesity Medicine Association’s Obesity Pillars online journal, interviews Dr. Sarah Ro and Dr. Sushma Chamarthi about their co-authored article, The Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods on Pediatric Health, published in Obesity Pillars. Together they discuss the impact and increasing prevalence of ultra-processed foods into pediatric diets. Episode Guests: Sarah Ro, MD, DABOM Sushma Chamarthi, MD, FAAP, DABOM Episode Host: Suzanne Cuda, MD, FOMA, FAAP Related Resources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368125000476