Obesity care

Drawing of an arm holding a scale that balances a healthy heart and a healthy array of fruits and vegetables

Do GLP-1 Medications Hold Promise for Older Adults?

Dr. Robert Kushner December 3, 2025 No Comments

Obesity affects nearly 40% of Americans age 65 and over, leading to an increased occurrence of heart disease, arthritis, high blood pressure, and impaired mobility among many weight-related diseases and complications. Though using a GLP-1 medication in this age group is an effective treatment for weight reduction, these drugs can also cause reduced muscle mass

Leather sofa against a wall with books spread open as an art installation and the phrase written above it, "Everyone has a story"

Obesity Medical Education through Storytelling

Dr. Robert Kushner November 13, 2025 No Comments

How do you educate professionals about obesity care? I recently had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion about obesity medication (semaglutide) for the treatment of high-risk patients with cardiovascular disease (SELECT trial) and its 2-year outcome results (STEP 5) at the Obesity Week and American Heart Association meetings. It was sponsored by Novo

Drawing of a doctor's hand writing out a prescription or notes

From Weight Loss to Health Gain with New GLP-1 Obesity Medications

Dr. Robert Kushner October 28, 2025 No Comments

The new, highly effective injectable obesity medications have brought a new focus to the advancing field of obesity medicine. Health care professionals from multiple specialties are moving beyond weight loss to focus more on health gains. That’s because the research is clear regarding the many health benefits of taking GLP-1 medications. Clinicians are doing their

If You Build It, They Will Come

Dr. Robert Kushner October 16, 2025 No Comments

This great line (adapted from the movie, Field of Dreams) reminds me of the trajectory of the field of obesity medicine as well as my career in it. When I started my career in the 1980’s, colleagues questioned my decision to develop a weight management program at a major academic medical center. Who knew that

Wooden desk with Dr. Kushner's books splayed next to a laptop, cell phone, and cup of coffee

A Resource for Patients, A Toolkit for Clinicians

Dr. Robert Kushner September 29, 2025 No Comments

Lifestyle modification is foundational to all obesity care. This applies even to those taking the newer, highly effective obesity medications. Though the disease of obesity is complex, lifestyle modification can be simplified and should be targeted. One size does not fit all. This is the basis of my Six Factor approach to managing weight and

Wooden desk with one of Dr. Kushner's books splayed next to a laptop, cell phone, and cup of coffee

What is Patient-Centered Weight Management?

Dr. Robert Kushner September 15, 2025 No Comments

Patient-centered weight management is tailored, personalized care. It’s what I’ve been practicing, teaching and researching for over 4 decades. It’s also the title of my new book, Patient-Centered Weight Management, published by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This book is an extension of my passionate desire to educate clinicians on improving the lives of

Dr. Kushner smiling while giving a speaking presentation

Educating Clinicians on Providing Obesity Care

Dr. Robert Kushner August 24, 2025 No Comments

In the 40+ years I’ve been practicing, recent clinician interest in providing obesity care has soared off the charts. I see it in the varied healthcare professional groups I speak to at conferences and through lectures and podcasts. Though the exciting new obesity medications may be what spurred initial interest, clinicians are also seeking guidance

3 Essentials of Overweight and Obesity Care Not to be Overlooked

Dr. Robert Kushner August 9, 2025 No Comments

We are at a crossroads where the advancements in obesity science and treatment outpace a workforce that is not fully prepared to apply these breakthroughs. This is the first line in the Introduction to my just-released book published by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, called Patient-Centered Weight Management: The Six Factor Professional Program and

The words "We're all in this together" colorfully written

Strong Today, Stronger Tomorrow with the Obesity Action Coalition

Dr. Robert Kushner July 30, 2025 No Comments

I just got back from the Your Weight Matters National Convention, celebrating the Obesity Action Coalition’s (OAC) 20th anniversary. The OAC has worked tirelessly to improve access to obesity treatments, raise public awareness, challenge weight bias and provide compassionate obesity care education and support. This weekend the OAC brought together obesity care clinicians with individuals

Blue and white trend graph showing a peaked, gradual rise and fall

Variation in Treatment Response in Overweight and Obesity Care

Dr. Robert Kushner July 15, 2025 No Comments

Responses to treatment for overweight and obesity care vary across different subgroups and individuals. This has implications for both patients wanting to manage weight better as well as their treating clinicians. When studies report average responses to lifestyle modification interventions, medication therapies or surgical treatments, this means that some individuals exceed expectations while others lose