GLP-1 medications

Focused Behavioral Counseling for Patients on GLP-1s

By Dr. Robert Kushner / May 20, 2026 /

In my 40+ years as an obesity medicine physician specialist, my entire counseling philosophy and weight management program approach have been rooted in behavior change research related to diet, physical activity, sleep, stress and body image. Obesity medication and bariatric surgery were prescribed as an adjunct to lifestyle counseling. This traditional paradigm is now being…

Managing Persistence Problems -Starting and Stopping GLP-1 Medications

By Dr. Robert Kushner / May 4, 2026 /

Most people don’t like taking medications – especially longterm. In fact, medication fatigue where individuals stop taking a new medication, like a statin or blood pressure pill, is commonplace. But the number of individuals stopping GLP-1 medications is especially concerning as studies show that over 50% of GLP-1 users discontinue the medication by 1 year…

Can Treating Obesity Improve Women’s Health and Fertility?

By Dr. Robert Kushner / April 19, 2026 /

I recently had the exciting opportunity to educate gynecologists and fertility specialists throughout India on the role of semaglutide in women’s reproductive health. This allowed me to take a deep dive into the research and medical data answering the question: can obesity treatments improve women’s health outcomes and fertility rates? The answer is a resounding…

Ripple Effects of GLP-1 Obesity Medications on Society

By Dr. Robert Kushner / March 17, 2026 /

The effects of game-changing GLP-1 medications on individuals and society was the topic of my recent keynote address at the Northwestern University Alumni Association event in Naples, Florida. Individuals on GLP-1 medications are changing how they eat, shop, live, play and get their healthcare and companies are taking notice. We usually think of big tech…

New Standards of Care Offer Proactive Approach to Prescribing Obesity Medications

By Dr. Robert Kushner / March 1, 2026 /

With the advent of powerful obesity medications that address the biological basis of obesity, the field of obesity care is rapidly shifting. To reflect this, the first Standards of Care on pharmacologic treatment of obesity published by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) were just released. I had the honor of serving on the ADA Professional…

Team-Based Obesity Care – in the Era of Highly Effective Medications

By Dr. Robert Kushner / February 14, 2026 /

Obesity care is a team sport. One clinician does not have to shoulder all the responsibility nor is expected to have the necessary expertise in all aspects of care. And yet, in some circles, you may think that team-based obesity care is a thing of the past as individuals get prescriptions for obesity medications with…

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

By Dr. Robert Kushner / October 28, 2025 /

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…

New Research, New Reasons to Discuss Obesity Medications with Your Health Care Provider

By Dr. Robert Kushner / March 18, 2025 /

It’s no secret that the new, highly effective injectable obesity medications have impressive weight loss benefits. This has led millions of people who struggle with weight to ask their health care professionals whether or not they are candidates for taking these new medications. But we’ve known for a long time that there is more to…

Food Noise: A New Name for an Old Problem

By Dr. Robert Kushner / March 2, 2025 /

For the past 4 decades, I have treated patients who struggle with weight. And I have also identified a subset of individuals who are more tempted by the obesogenic food environment we all live in. “I think about food all the time.” “As hard as I try, I can’t clear my head from being preoccupied…