Special Edition: A Focus on Obesity

In this special series on obesity, our host, Dr. Neil Skolnik, discusses the obesity epidemic with some of the foremost experts in the world. In Part 4 of the series, Dr. Skolnik is joined by Drs. Deborah Horn and Robert Kushner. Together they discuss challenges, and potential solutions, in obesity management.

The Focus on Obesity series is a collaborative project of the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians. The entire program will comprise a total of seven episodes: four episodes of Diabetes Core Update, which will cover topics of interest for family physicians, primary care clinicians, and other health care professionals; as well as three episodes of its sister podcast, Diabetes Day by Day, which will be tailored for people with overweight or obesity and their caregivers. The combined seven-episode program will be released between February and June 2024 and can be freely accessed at https://diabetesjournals.org/journals/pages/podcasts_obesity.

Funding support for the “Focus on Obesity” series is jointly provided by Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health

Deborah B. Horn, DO, MPH, Medical Director for the UT Center of Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance; Fellowship Program Director, Allison Family Foundation Fellowship in Clinical Obesity Medicine and Metabolism, McGovern Medical School

Robert Kushner, MD Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology) and Medical Education Feinburg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and Medical Director of the Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago

Selected references:

STEP–4 Trial - D. Rubino et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2021; 325:1414-1425. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.3224

SURMOUNT-4 Trial - LJ. Aronne et al. SURMOUNT-4 Investigators. Continued Treatment With Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults With Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2024; 331:38-48. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.24945

In this special series on obesity, our host, Dr. Neil Skolnik, discusses the obesity epidemic with some of the foremost experts in the world. In Part 3 of the series, Dr. Skolnik is joined by Drs. Susan Fidler, Charles Vega, and Margot Savoy. Together, they talking about discussing obesity with patients – how to open the conversation on this sensitive topic, how to handle resistance to addressing the topic, and how to avoid stigma and bias.

The Focus on Obesity series is a collaborative project of the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians. The entire program will comprise a total of seven episodes: four episodes of Diabetes Core Update, which will cover topics of interest for family physicians, primary care clinicians, and other health care professionals; as well as three episodes of its sister podcast, Diabetes Day by Day, which will be tailored for people with overweight or obesity and their caregivers. The combined seven-episode program will be released between February and June 2024 and can be freely accessed at https://diabetesjournals.org/journals/pages/podcasts_obesity.

Funding support for the “Focus on Obesity” series is jointly provided by Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health

Dr. Susan Fidler is Associate Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program at Abington Jefferson Health

Charles Vega, M.D., Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, Director, UC Irvine Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community, and Associate Dean in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine

Margot L. Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP serves as senior vice president for education, inclusiveness, and physician well-being at the American Academy of Family Physicians

In this insightful episode of Diabetes Day by Day, hosts Dr. Neil Skolnik and Dr. Sara Wettergreen delve into the newest approaches to discussing obesity treatments with your doctor and strategies for effectively planning this conversation. They are joined by Aaron Sutton, a behavioral health consultant, and Tamika Holland, who shares her personal journey with obesity.

This is the third episode of a three-part series of Diabetes Day by Day that focuses on recognizing obesity as a chronic disease that requires treatment. Learn about strategies for tackling obesity, preparing for doctor’s appointments, and overcoming the hurdles associated with initiating conversations about obesity. Discover more about medications and other innovative treatment options that provide renewed hope and much more.

The Focus on Obesity series is a collaborative project of the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians. The entire program will comprise a total of seven episodes: three episodes of Diabetes Day by Day, which will be tailored for people with overweight or obesity and their caregivers; and four episodes of its sister podcast, Diabetes Core Update, which will cover topics of interest for family physicians, primary care clinicians, and other health care professionals. The combined seven-episode program will be released between February and June 2024 and can be freely accessed at https://diabetesjournals.org/journals/pages/podcasts_obesity.

Funding support for the “Focus on Obesity” series is jointly provided by Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health, Abington, PA

Sara Wettergreen, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; and Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist, UCHealth Lone Tree Primary Care, Aurora, CO

Aaron Sutton, LCSW, Behavioral Health Consultant, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health, Abington, PA

Tamika Holland, Elementary Curriculum Specialist, Abington, PA

Do you have questions or comments you’d like to share with Neil and Sara? Leave a message at (703) 755-7288. Thank you for listening, and don’t forget to “follow” Diabetes Day by Day!

In this special series on obesity, our host, Dr. Neil Skolnik, discusses the obesity epidemic with some of the foremost experts in the world. In Part 2 of the series, Dr. Skolnik is joined by Drs. Deborah Horn, Thomas Wadden, and Donna Ryan. Together, they discuss, in detail, approaches to obesity including lifestyle, medications and bariatric surgery.

The Focus on Obesity series is a collaborative project of the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians. The entire program will comprise a total of seven episodes: four episodes of Diabetes Core Update, which will cover topics of interest for family physicians, primary care clinicians, and other health care professionals; as well as three episodes of its sister podcast, Diabetes Day by Day, which will be tailored for people with overweight or obesity and their caregivers. The combined seven-episode program will be released between February and June 2024 and can be freely accessed at https://diabetesjournals.org/journals/pages/podcasts_obesity.

Funding support for the “Focus on Obesity” series is jointly provided by Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health

Thomas Wadden PhD, is a Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the former director of the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders at Penn

Donna Ryan, MD, Professor emeritus at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Deborah B. Horn, DO, MPH, Medical Director for the UT Center of Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance; Fellowship Program Director, Allison Family Foundation Fellowship in Clinical Obesity Medicine and Metabolism, McGovern Medical School

Selected references:

J.P.H. Wilding et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med 2021;18;384(11):989-1002. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2032183

A.M. Jastreboff et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med 2022;387(3):205-216. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2206038

D. Rubino et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2021;325(14):1414-1425. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777886

L.J. Aronne et al. Continued Treatment With Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults With Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2024;2;331(1):38-48. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.24945

W.C. Knowler et al. Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med 2002;7;346(6):393-403. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa012512

Look AHEAD Research Group et al. Cardiovascular effects of intensive lifestyle intervention in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med 2013;369(2):145-54. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1212914

In this highly informative episode of Diabetes Day by Day, hosts Dr. Neil Skolnik and Dr. Sara Wettergreen explore the latest in obesity management and treatment with a dual focus: lifestyle modifications and new medications. Recognizing obesity as a critical factor in overall health, Drs. Skolnik and Wettergreen are joined by Drs. Susan Fiddler and Wesley Nuffer to discuss the multifaceted approaches to obesity management.

This is the second of a three-part series of Diabetes Day by Day that focuses on the critical issue of obesity, offering professional insights and advice to sustain weight management. Learn about lifestyle strategies for treating obesity, including eating habits, physical activity, and behavioral approaches, as well as groundbreaking medications offering new hope for those struggling with obesity.

The Focus on Obesity series is a collaborative project of the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians. The entire program will comprise a total of seven episodes: three episodes of Diabetes Day by Day, which will be tailored for people with overweight or obesity and their caregivers; and four episodes of its sister podcast, Diabetes Core Update, which will cover topics of interest for family physicians, primary care clinicians, and other health care professionals. The combined seven-episode program will be released between February and June 2024 and can be freely accessed at https://diabetesjournals.org/journals/pages/podcasts_obesity

Funding support for the "Focus on Obesity" series is jointly provided by Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health, Abington, PA

Sara Wettergreen, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; and Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist, UCHealth Lone Tree Primary Care, Aurora, CO

Susan K. Fiddler, MD, Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health, Abington, PA

Wesley Nuffer, PharmD, BCPS, CDCES, BC-ADM, Professor, Assistant Director of Experiential Programs, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO

In this enlightening episode of Diabetes Day by Day, hosts Dr. Neil Skolnik and Dr. Sara Wettergreen engage in a profound discussion on the topic of obesity, a pressing health issue that has seen a dramatic increase over the past 50 years. They are joined by Dr. Margarita McDonald, an obesity medical specialist, along with her patient, Tamika Holland, who shares her personal journey with obesity.

This episode sheds light on the critical issue of obesity, offering both professional insights and personal experiences to foster a deeper understanding of the disease. By exploring the medical, psychological, and environmental aspects of obesity, Neil, Sara, Margarita, and Tamika provide a comprehensive overview that aims to inform, inspire, and encourage positive change in the way we view and care for obesity.

The Focus on Obesity series is a collaborative project of the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians. The entire program will comprise a total of seven episodes: three episodes of Diabetes Day by Day, which will be tailored for people with overweight or obesity and their caregivers; and four episodes of its sister podcast, Diabetes Core Update, which will cover topics of interest for family physicians, primary care clinicians, and other health care professionals. The combined seven-episode program will be released between February and June 2024 and can be freely accessed at https://diabetesjournals.org/journals/pages/podcasts_obesity.

Funding support for the “Focus on Obesity” series is jointly provided by Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health, Abington, PA

Sara Wettergreen, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; and Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist, UCHealth Lone Tree Primary Care, Aurora, CO

Margarita McDonald, MD, Bariatrician and Medical Director, Bariatric Medicine Institute, Flourtown, PA

Tamika Holland, Elementary Curriculum Specialist, Abington, PA

Do you have questions or comments you’d like to share with Neil and Sara? Leave a message at (703) 755-7288. Thank you for listening, and don’t forget to “follow” Diabetes Day by Day!

In this special series on obesity, our host, Dr. Neil Skolnik, discusses the obesity epidemic with some of the foremost experts in the world. In Part 1 of the series, Dr. Skolnik is joined by Drs. Deborah Horn, Margot Savoy, and Walter Willet. Together, they discuss the epidemiology of obesity, social disparities with regard to obesity, obesity as a chronic disease, the consequences of obesity, and some of the reasons that the prevalence of obesity has increased over the last 50 years. In addition, they discuss possible approaches to measuring obesity and how to evaluate patients for obesity.

The Focus on Obesity series is a collaborative project of the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians. The entire program will comprise a total of seven episodes: four episodes of Diabetes Core Update, which will cover topics of interest for family physicians, primary care clinicians, and other health care professionals; as well as three episodes of its sister podcast, Diabetes Day by Day, which will be tailored for people with overweight or obesity and their caregivers. The combined seven-episode program will be released between February and June 2024 and can be freely accessed at https://diabetesjournals.org/journals/pages/podcasts_obesity.

Funding support for the “Focus on Obesity” series is jointly provided by Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health

Deborah B. Horn, DO, MPH, Medical Director for the UT Center of Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance; Fellowship Program Director, Allison Family Foundation Fellowship in Clinical Obesity Medicine and Metabolism, McGovern Medical School

Margot L. Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Senior Vice President, Education, Inclusiveness & Physician Well-being, American Academy of Family Physicians

Walter C. Willett, MD, DrPH, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Selected references:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult obesity facts. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

P. Sumithran et al. Long-term persistence of hormonal adaptations to weight loss. N Engl J Med 2011; 365:1597-1604. https://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1105816

G.A. Colditz et al. Weight gain as a risk factor for clinical diabetes mellitus in women. Ann Intern Med. 1995; 122:4816. https://dx.doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-122-7-199504010-00001

P. Koh-Banerjee et al. Changes in body weight and body fat distribution as risk factors for clinical diabetes in US men. Am J Epidemiol. 2004; 159:11509. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwh167

D.P. Guh et al. The incidence of co-morbidities related to obesity and overweight: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2009; 9:88. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-9-88