obesity medicine physician

Green road sign that says, "Future Forward"

Three Steps Forward in Obesity Care: Prepared Clinicians, Targeted Outcomes, Patient Voices

Dr. Robert Kushner June 11, 2026 No Comments

Throughout my 40+ years as an obesity medicine physician, I’ve been fortunate to remain involved with multiple obesity care stakeholders. I am also pleased to see the collective initiatives occurring to improve the care of people living with overweight and obesity. The future of obesity care is shifting. My hope is that clinicians and the

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

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

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

Graphic of a stethoscope listening to a red heart and reporting a heartbeat's rhythm

Is Waist Size Measurement the New Obesity Care Vital Sign?

Dr. Robert Kushner February 12, 2025 No Comments

If you struggle with excess weight, most likely your health care visits include measurements of your weight, height, and blood pressure, as well as a calculation of your BMI (body mass index). But what about your waist circumference? As an obesity medicine physician specialist, I’ve been measuring waist circumference on my patients for over 25

Enhancing Obesity Care with Innovative Medical Education

Dr. Robert Kushner October 16, 2024 No Comments

I am passionate about educating both current and future health care professionals on the care of patients living with the disease of obesity. If you’re a patient struggling with overweight or obesity, you need health care providers who are knowledgeable and skilled in giving you the most effective treatments. Here, I’d like to share some

Get Support for Obesity Care

Dr. Robert Kushner March 6, 2024 No Comments

If you struggle with overweight or obesity, you’re probably aware of the mixed messages in the media that surround the disease of obesity as well as its treatments. In support of Obesity Care Week, an annual public awareness campaign, I’d like to highlight some important obesity care resources: 1-Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) OAC is a

Changing Hearts & Minds about Obesity

Dr. Robert Kushner October 11, 2023 No Comments

I recently attended the Obesity Action Coalition’s (OAC) Your Weight Matters 2023- Engage conference in Orlando. No matter how long I’ve been practicing, I continue to be inspired by those who share personal weight journey stories that include both their struggles and successes. Throughout the weekend, we heard inspiring stories from former professional football players,

Who to Partner with to Manage Weight and Achieve Better Health?

Dr. Robert Kushner August 24, 2023 No Comments

With all the exciting new treatments available to help those who struggle with weight, you may be wondering who you should turn to for help? Though your primary care professional (PCP) may not be an expert in weight management, they are likely to be an expert in knowing about you and your medical history. This