Expert Weigh-In: Drs. Kushner and Garvey Consider New Definitions for Obesity, Preclinical Obesity, and Clinical Obesity
There is no commercial support for this activity.
Obesity is a chronic, progressive disease influenced by genetic, biological, behavioral, and environmental factors. Effective management requires a multifaceted and individualized approach. Weight stigma and bias remain pervasive in healthcare, underscoring the need for empathetic, patient-centered communication, and shared decision-making to promote weight wellness. Recent advances in pharmacotherapy have expanded treatment options and enhanced the potential for sustained weight loss. Managing comorbidities—such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)/metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)—presents clinical challenges that necessitate coordinated, interprofessional strategies. The introduction of highly effective anti-obesity medications brings new dilemmas related to access, insurance coverage, compounding practices, health disparities, and the integration of mental healthcare. Evolving definitions of obesity—including preclinical and clinical stages—are reshaping the diagnostic framework and enabling earlier, more precise interventions. In this CE activity, expert faculty will identify challenges associated with obesity and weight management while offering strategies to overcome these challenges and provide optimal care that improves patient outcomes.
There is no commercial support for this activity.