

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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 15, 2020 • 17min
Episode 21: Clinical Conversations: Breaking Weight Plateaus
Episode Description
In this episode, Obesity medicine specialist and OMA clinical education director, Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM interviews Tonia Vinton, MD, Dipl. ABOM, a highlighted speaker from Overcoming Obesity 2019, about challenges to overcoming weight plateaus. Topics covered include: why weight plateaus occur, communicating weight loss expectations with patients, and managing anti-obesity medications during a weight plateau. Dr. Vinton is the medical director for the Nutrition and Weight Management Program at the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
You can access more information about Obesity Medicine podcasts and other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine at www.obesitymedicine.org/podcasts.
Episode Guests
Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM
Tonia Vinton, MD, Dipl. ABOM

Jul 6, 2020 • 14min
Episode 20: Article Reviews: Statin Therapy
Episode Description
In this episode, the OMA Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA Dipl. ABOM and W. Allen Rader, MD, MFOMA review a recent article about individualizing obesity treatment with statin therapy. Topics covered include: individualized approached to statin selection and use in patients with obesity, utilizing minimal weight loss to reduce the risk for diabetes, and combining statin treatment within a patient centered holistic approach to treating obesity and adiposity related diseases.
In our article review podcasts, we have carefully selected recent articles included in the latest version of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Obesity Algorithm. We then discuss this new science with obesity experts.
To access other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine, visit: www.obesitymedicine.org.
Episode Guests
Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FACE, FNLA, Dipl. ABOM
W. Allen Rader, MD, MFOMA
Article Reviewed
Individualizing Treatment with Statin Therapy.

Jun 18, 2020 • 20min
Episode 19: Clinical Conversations: Obesity Treatment for Low-income Patients
Episode Description
In this episode, Obesity medicine specialist and OMA clinical education director, Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM interviews Caroline Apovion, MD, a highlighted speaker from Overcoming Obesity 2019, about obesity treatment challenges and opportunities in low-income populations. Topics covered include: availability and access to healthy foods, how women of lower income households are disproportionately affected by obesity, innovative ways to overcome barriers to healthy eating, and how cultural and racial differences impact perception of healthy weight, and bariatric interventions.
Dr. Apovian is Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, in the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition at Boston University School of Medicine. You can purchase the full recording of Dr. Apovion’s presentation and access more information about Obesity Medicine podcasts and other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine at www.obesitymedicine.org/podcasts.
Episode Guests
Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM
Caroline Apovian, MD
Related Resource
Obesity Treatment in Low-income Patients

Jun 1, 2020 • 13min
Episode 18: Article Reviews: Gut hormones and obesity
Episode Description
In this episode, the OMA Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA Dipl. ABOM interviews Marisa Censani, MD, Dipl. ABOM, reviewing a recent article about the relationship between gastrointestinal hormones and obesity. Topics covered include: gut hormone treatments such as GLP-1 receptor agonists that can lead to weight loss, and the advance of multi-drug combination therapy for treating obesity and diabetes.
In our article review podcasts, we have carefully selected recent articles included in the latest version of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Obesity Algorithm. We then discuss this new science with obesity experts.
To access other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine, visit: www.obesitymedicine.org.
Episode Guests
Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FACE, FNLA, Dipl. ABOM
Marisa Censani, MD, Dipl. ABOM
Article Reviewed
Cracking the combination: Gut hormones for the treatment of obesity and diabetes

May 20, 2020 • 13min
Episode 17: Clinical Conversations: Newest Endoscopic Bariatric Procedures
Episode Description
In this episode, Obesity medicine specialist and OMA clinical education director, Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM interviews Shelby Sullivan, MD, a highlighted speaker from Overcoming Obesity 2019, giving an overview of the newest endoscopic bariatric procedures and their impact. Topics covered include: current and emerging endoscopic bariatric procedures, combining anti-obesity medications with endoscopic procedures, and integrating bariatric procedures within the continuum of patient care. Dr. Sullivan is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine and is the director of the Gastroenterology Metabolic and Bariatric Program.
You can access more information about Obesity Medicine podcasts and other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine at www.obesitymedicine.org/podcasts.
Episode Guests
Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM
Shelby Sullivan, MD
Related Resources
Update on Endoscopic Procedures

May 4, 2020 • 11min
Episode 16: Article Reviews: Dietary Fat Intake and Body Weight
Episode Description
In this episode, the OMA Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA Dipl. ABOM interviews Krishna Doniparthi, MD, FAARM, FOMA, reviewing a recent article about the impact of fat consumption in diet on body weight in Mediterranean population. Topics covered include: impact on weight when replacing proteins with mono and poly unsaturated fats, consumption of macro-nutrients on body weight along with processed and ultra-processed fats and oils, and how to change the diet to be more in-line with human physiology.
In our article review podcasts, we have carefully selected recent articles included in the latest version of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Obesity Algorithm. We then discuss this new science with obesity experts.
To access other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine, visit: www.obesitymedicine.org.
Episode Guests
Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FACE, FNLA, Dipl. ABOM
Krishna Doniparthi, MD, FAARM, FOMA
Article Reviewed
Quality of Dietary Fat Intake and Body Weight and Obesity in a Mediterranean Population: Secondary Analyses within the PREDIMED Trial
Related Resource
Nutrition Strategies: The Mediterranean and Ketogenic Diets

Apr 13, 2020 • 27min
Episode 15: Clinical Conversations: COVID-19 and Obesity
Episode Description
In this episode, the OMA Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA Dipl. ABOM interviews Lydia Alexander, MD, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM about impacts in caring for patients with obesity caused by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Topics covered include: the interactions COVID-19 may have with patients with obesity, how managing stress affects mental and physical health, the unique challenges and opportunities brought about during this time, and how we can have hope moving forward.
You can access more information about Obesity Medicine podcasts and other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine at www.obesitymedicine.org.
Episode Guests
Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FACE, FNLA, Dipl. ABOM
Lydia Alexander, MD, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM

Apr 6, 2020 • 12min
Episode 14: Article Reviews: Impact of Psychotropic Drugs on Weight Gain
Episode Description
n this episode, the OMA Chief Science Officer, Dr. Harold Bays, FOMA Dipl. ABOM interviews Dr. William McCarthy, FOMA about a recent article discussing changes in metabolic parameters and body weight in brexpiprazole-treated patients with acute schizophrenia. Topics covered include: awareness of medications that cause weight gain for patients with obesity, why individual treatment strategies are key when considering medications that may be weight positive as each patient may respond differently, and the importance of communication between medical providers in following patient progress to avoid complications.
In our article review podcasts, we have carefully selected recent articles included in the latest version of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Obesity Algorithm. We then discuss this new science with obesity experts.
To access other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine, visit: www.obesitymedicine.org.
Episode Guests
Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FACE, FNLA, Dipl. ABOM
Bill McCarthy, MD, FOMA
Article Reviewed
Changes in metabolic parameters and body weight in brexpiprazole-treated patients with acute schizophrenia: pooled analyses of phase 3 clinical studies.
Related Resources
Impact of Psychotropic Medications on Obesity

Mar 22, 2020 • 14min
Episode 13: Clinical Conversations: Brown Fat in Health and Disease
Episode Description
What is brown fat and how does it impact obesity? In this episode, Obesity medicine specialist and OMA clinical education director, Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM interviews Paul Cohen, PhD, MD, a highlighted speaker from Overcoming Obesity 2019, about the role of brown fat in health.
Topics covered include:
Different types of fat and their respective roles
The research evidence on the anti-obesity effects of activating brown fat
The possible metabolic impacts of increasing brown fat
The impact of weight loss, physical activity, and the gut microbiome on production of brown fat
Dr. Cohen is a physician-scientist focused on the links between obesity and associated diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
You can purchase the full recording of Dr. Cohen's presentation on brown fat and access more information about Obesity Medicine podcasts and other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine at www.obesitymedicine.org.
Episode Guests
Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM
Paul Cohen, MD, PhD
Related Resources
Brown Fat in Health and Disease: Paul Cohen, MD, PhD

Mar 17, 2020 • 14min
Episode 12: Article Reviews: Saturated Fat and the Human Liver
Episode Description
In this episode, OMA Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA Dipl. ABOM and Sara Karjoo, MD, Dipl. ABOM review the article Saturated Fat Is More Metabolically Harmful for the Human Liver Than Unsaturated Fat or Simple Sugars which evaluates if saturated fat is more metabolically harmful for the human liver than unsaturated fat or simple sugars. Topics covered include: how fat in liver is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and cancer, importance of early screening for progression of other diseases, and what to do as a clinician to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
In our article review podcasts, we have carefully selected recent articles included in the latest version of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Obesity Algorithm. We then discuss this new science with obesity experts.
To access other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine, visit: www.obesitymedicine.org.
Episode Guests
Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FACE, FNLA, Dipl. ABOM
Sara Karjoo, MD, Dipl. ABOM
Article Reviewed
Saturated Fat Is More Metabolically Harmful for the Human Liver Than Unsaturated Fat or Simple Sugars
Related Resources
Managing Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Pediatric Patients with Obesity


