

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 19, 2021 • 38min
Episode 43: Clinical Conversations: Health at Every Size Movement
In this episode, Obesity medicine specialist and OMA clinical education director, Dr. Nicholas Pennings interviews Drs. Scott Kahan and Elizabeth Holm, highlighted speakers from Overcoming Obesity 2020 – Virtual, about the Health at Every Size Movement and talking with patients about weight and health. Topics covered include opinions on the classification of obesity as a disease, harmful effects of weight stigma and bias, disease consequences associated with obesity, and the importance of how weight and health are discussed with patients.
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
Scott Kahan, MD, MPH
Elizabeth Holm, DrPH, RD
Resources Mentioned
Health At Every Size Point Counterpoint Panel during Overcoming Obesity 2020

Jun 30, 2021 • 18min
Episode 42: Article Reviews: Safety and Effectiveness of Longer-Term Phentermine Use
In this episode, OMA Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC interviews Mahtab Ahmed, MD, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM about a recent article on the safety and effectiveness of longer-term Phentermine use. Topics covered include risks and benefits of prescribing Phentermine longer than 12 weeks, the impact of study results only including low cardiovascular disease risk patients and being a retrospective study, and the role of local regulations in prescribing.
In our article review podcasts, we have carefully selected recent articles included in the latest version of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Obesity Algorithm, which is a comprehensive review of obesity medicine that can be found at obesitymedicine.org. 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, FNLA, FASPC
Mahtab Ahmed, MD, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM
Resources Mentioned
Safety and Effectiveness of Longer-Term Phentermine Use: Clinical Outcomes from an Electronic Health Record Cohort

Jun 21, 2021 • 22min
Episode 41: Clinical Conversations: Harnessing Technology and Software to Fight the Obesity Epidemic
In this episode, Obesity medicine specialist and OMA clinical education director, Dr. Nicholas Pennings interviews Dr. Louis Aronne, keynote speaker from Overcoming Obesity 2020 – Virtual, about harnessing technology to enhance obesity treatment. Topics covered include technology tools for connecting with patients, such as video visits, remote patient monitoring tools, and digital materials. The flexibility provided for interdisciplinary care, patient response to virtual visits, and insurance coverage are also discussed.
You can access more information about Obesity Medicine podcasts and other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine at www.obesitymedicine.org/podcasts.

Jun 7, 2021 • 13min
Episode 40: Article Reviews: Long-Term Weight Loss in the Diabetes Prevention Program
In this episode, OMA Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC interviews Laura Davisson, MD, MPH, FACP, to discuss a recent article on the comparison of Metformin and lifestyle intervention in diabetes prevention. Topics covered include the success of the intensive lifestyle intervention of the Diabetes Prevention Program, the difficulty many patients have with weight loss maintenance, and the consideration of prescribing Metformin for prediabetes.
In our article review podcasts, we have carefully selected recent articles included in the latest version of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Obesity Algorithm, which is a comprehensive review of obesity medicine that can be found at obesitymedicine.org. 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, FNLA, FASPC
Laura Davisson, MD, MPH, FACP
Resources Mentioned
Long-Term Weight Loss With Metformin or Lifestyle Intervention in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study

May 24, 2021 • 26min
Episode 39: Clinical Conversations: The Case Against Sugar
In this episode, obesity medicine specialist and OMA clinical education director, Dr. Nicholas Pennings interviews Gary Taubes, keynote speaker from Obesity Medicine 2021 – Virtual, about the impact of sugar on nutrition. Topics covered include: the relative risk of sugar on health, comparing non-nutritive sweeteners and sugar, the contribution of the western diet to the obesity epidemic, individual variability in response to diet, and steps health professionals can take to curb diabetes trends. 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
Gary Taubes
Resource Mentioned
The Case Against Sugar Lecture

May 3, 2021 • 13min
Episode 38: Article Reviews: Stress and Obesity
In this episode, OMA Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC interviews Angela Golden, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, to discuss a recent article on the connection between stress and obesity. Topics covered include clinical strategies for talking to patients about stress and obesity, the role of obesity bias and stigma in increasing patient stress, and how to manage hormones related to stress.
Episode Guests
Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC
Angela Golden, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP
Resources Mentioned
Tomiyama AJ: Stress and Obesity. Annu Rev Psychol 2019 70:703-718.

Apr 19, 2021 • 35min
Episode 37: Clinical Conversations: Anti-Obesity Medicines Under Development
In this episode, obesity medicine specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director, Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM interviews Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC, a highlighted speaker from Overcoming Obesity 2020 – Virtual, about new pharmaceutical agents in development to treat obesity. Topics covered include why anti-obesity medicines may be necessary in treatment, treatment targets and efficacy of newer pharmaceutical agents, role of combination medications in treatment, and a discussion about stigma and bias around anti-obesity medications.
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
Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC
Resources Mentioned
Anti-Obesity Medications in the Pipeline Lecture

Apr 5, 2021 • 34min
Episode 36: Clinical Conversations: Starting an Obesity Medicine Practice
In this episode, OMA Chief Science Officer, Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC interviews Karli Burridge, PA-C, MMS, FOMA to discuss her experience in starting an obesity medicine practice. Topics covered include: practice components and structure to consider when starting a practice, general business start-up practices, payment, and practice models, and recommended standard operating procedures.
To access other resources from the clinical leader in Obesity Medicine, visit: www.obesitymedicine.org.
Episode Guests
Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC
Karli Burridge, PA-C, MMS, FOMA
Resources Mentioned
The OMA 2021 Obesity Algorithm

Jan 18, 2021 • 20min
Episode 31: Clinical Conversations: Understanding Food Addiction
In this episode, Obesity medicine specialist and OMA clinical education director, Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM interviews Connie Stapleton, PhD, a highlighted speaker from Obesity Medicine 2020 – Virtual, about obesity and food addiction. Topics covered include: how food can be addictive, behavioral and psychological components involved in food addiction, assessing for food addiction, and treating obesity and food addiction simultaneously.
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
Connie Stapleton, PhD
Resources Mentioned
Understanding Food Addiction Conference Presentation

Dec 21, 2020 • 22min
Episode 29: Clinical Conversations: Managing Diabetes and Obesity Treatment
Episode Description
In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director, Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM interviews Ken Fujioka, MD a keynote speaker from Obesity Medicine 2020 – Virtual, about obesity and diabetes treatments. Topics covered include the impact of where fat is stored for diabetes risk, approaches for weight loss intervention and impact on diabetes and insulin sensitivity, and impact of diabetes medications on cardiovascular outcomes.
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
Ken Fujioka, MD