Obesity: A Disease

Obesity Medicine

Obesity: A Disease is the official Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) FREE podcast exploring the many facets of the disease of obesity. Episodes provide valuable insights into this growing problem and better equip clinicians to understand and engage in treating this disease.

  1. 19 Oct

    Episode 133: Clinical Conversations: Understanding CKM Syndrome in Obesity Care

    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

  2. 18 Sept

    Episode 132: Clinical Conversations: Using EPSDT to Improve Access to Obesity Pharmacotherapy in Youth

    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

  3. 27 Aug

    Episode 131: Clinical Conversations: OMA Practice Management Algorithm

    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

  4. 27 Jul

    Episode 130: Clinical Conversations: Access, Coverage & Health Equity in 2026

    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

  5. 22 Jun

    Episode 129: Clinical Conversations: Nutrition for Weight Maintenance After Medication or Surgery

    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

  6. 25 May

    Episode 128: Clinical Conversations: Protein, Muscle, and Sarcopenic Obesity

    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

  7. 6 Apr

    Episode 127: Clinical Conversations: Nutrition in the GLP-1 Era

    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

  8. 3 Apr

    Episode 126: Industry Insights: Metabolic Resting Rate

    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

See All (127)

About

Obesity: A Disease is the official Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) FREE podcast exploring the many facets of the disease of obesity. Episodes provide valuable insights into this growing problem and better equip clinicians to understand and engage in treating this disease.

Information

  • Creator
    Obesity Medicine
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Obesity Medicine
  • Show Website
    Obesity: A Disease

You Might Also Like