obesity care

A woman's hands in the shape of a heart laying overtop her pregnant belly

Can Treating Obesity Improve Women’s Health and Fertility?

Dr. Robert Kushner April 19, 2026 No Comments

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

Droplet of water dripping into a rippling puddle

Ripple Effects of GLP-1 Obesity Medications on Society

Dr. Robert Kushner March 17, 2026 No Comments

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

Red painted brick with the word "NEW" displayed on top of it

New Standards of Care Offer Proactive Approach to Prescribing Obesity Medications

Dr. Robert Kushner March 1, 2026 No Comments

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

The word, "TEAM" being held up by colorful little figures of people

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

Dr. Robert Kushner February 14, 2026 No Comments

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

Wooden Scrabble tiles forming the word, "EMPATHY"

Empathy Goes Both Ways in Obesity Care

Dr. Robert Kushner February 1, 2026 No Comments

I enjoy speaking to healthcare professionals helping them identify efficient and effective approaches to patient-centered obesity care. One of the most interesting questions I received recently from physicians is how to approach the topic of weight with patients when they themselves are not comfortable with their own weight – be it higher than they want

A hand holding the words, RESPECT, RESPECT, RESPECT

Obesity – One of the Most Misunderstood Diseases in Medicine

Dr. Robert Kushner December 14, 2025 No Comments

Despite the many recent breakthroughs in obesity medicine, misunderstandings about the disease of obesity persist among patients, clinicians and insurance providers. The disease of obesity is a complex, relapsing condition that requires multimodal therapies. It is not a personal choice or a failure of willpower. And yet people with obesity can be blamed and shamed

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