Six Factors to Fit

Line graph depicting the peaks and falls of life events and weight history

When Life Gets in the Way – of Managing Weight

Before I help patients develop a personalized weight management plan, I want to better understand each person’s weight journey, that is, how they got to where they are today. Since no two patients are alike, providing personalized obesity care requires knowing more about each patient’s personal struggles, resources and life stressors. However, in the midst

Read More
Black and white photo of a young Dr. Kushner, when he was a gymnast, pointing his feet toward the sky while using his hands to hold himself upright on two bars

What’s Your Exercise Identity?

As you can see in this picture, I was a gymnast in high school. Being a gymnast was a part of my identity and I loved it – until I fell off the high bar during our state competition. Over time, my exercise identity changed to become a runner and more recently, a ballroom dancer.

Read More
LIght blue plate holding white letter tiles spelling, "MEAL PLAN"

Healthy Meal Planning Tips – from Our Home to Yours

Planning your meals and snacks is a proven strategy for eating better and improving health. Though this does take some time, it doesn‘t have to be time intensive. In this blog, I share 3 tips that help our family stay on the healthy eating track: 1-Eat Better with Theme-Based Meals Themed meals break from the

Read More
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?

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

Read More
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

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

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

Variation in Treatment Response in Overweight and Obesity Care

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

Read More
Hands fitting together two white puzzle pieces

Weight Management Care that Fits

As a leader in obesity medicine, I have been passionate about educating clinicians on the best practices of providing care to their patients who are living with obesity. Toward that end, I’m excited to share that I have a new book for healthcare professionals coming soon, titled Patient-Centered Weight Management: The Six Factor Professional Program

Read More
Nameplate on a desk that says, "Lesson #1"

Are You Doing this One Essential Strategy for a Healthy Lifestyle?

We live in an obesogenic environment where high calorie foods are plentiful and physical activity has been engineered out of our daily lives. Despite your best intentions, this makes it hard for you to carry out your healthy lifestyle behaviors. In my 40+ year career helping patients manage weight and boost health, PLANNING AHEAD has

Read More
Black and white photo of a person walking their dog

Enjoy the Benefits of a Physically Active Lifestyle

Sitting less and moving more are universal healthy lifestyle goals for everyone – even if you’re already losing weight on one of the newer obesity medications. Prolonged sitting is a top risk factor for developing diabetes, weight gain, obesity, increased blood fats, cardiovascular disease, some forms of cancer, depression, and even premature death. Did you

Read More
White plate of colorful, healthy stir fry

Rotate and Repeat: A Healthy Meal Planning Strategy

Planning your meals and snacks is a proven strategy for eating better and improving health. Though this does take some time, it doesn‘t have to be time intensive. In this blog, I share some tips to help you and your family eat more healthfully: 1-Make a Rotate and Repeat Plan Did you know that most

Read More
Line graph depicting the peaks and falls of life events and weight history

When Life Gets in the Way – of Managing Weight

Before I help patients develop a personalized weight management plan, I want to better understand each person’s weight journey, that is, how they got to where they are today. Since no two patients are alike, providing personalized obesity care requires knowing more about each patient’s personal struggles, resources and life stressors. However, in the midst

Read More
Black and white photo of a young Dr. Kushner, when he was a gymnast, pointing his feet toward the sky while using his hands to hold himself upright on two bars

What’s Your Exercise Identity?

As you can see in this picture, I was a gymnast in high school. Being a gymnast was a part of my identity and I loved it – until I fell off the high bar during our state competition. Over time, my exercise identity changed to become a runner and more recently, a ballroom dancer.

Read More
LIght blue plate holding white letter tiles spelling, "MEAL PLAN"

Healthy Meal Planning Tips – from Our Home to Yours

Planning your meals and snacks is a proven strategy for eating better and improving health. Though this does take some time, it doesn‘t have to be time intensive. In this blog, I share 3 tips that help our family stay on the healthy eating track: 1-Eat Better with Theme-Based Meals Themed meals break from the

Read More
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?

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

Read More
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

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

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

Variation in Treatment Response in Overweight and Obesity Care

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

Read More
Hands fitting together two white puzzle pieces

Weight Management Care that Fits

As a leader in obesity medicine, I have been passionate about educating clinicians on the best practices of providing care to their patients who are living with obesity. Toward that end, I’m excited to share that I have a new book for healthcare professionals coming soon, titled Patient-Centered Weight Management: The Six Factor Professional Program

Read More
Nameplate on a desk that says, "Lesson #1"

Are You Doing this One Essential Strategy for a Healthy Lifestyle?

We live in an obesogenic environment where high calorie foods are plentiful and physical activity has been engineered out of our daily lives. Despite your best intentions, this makes it hard for you to carry out your healthy lifestyle behaviors. In my 40+ year career helping patients manage weight and boost health, PLANNING AHEAD has

Read More
Black and white photo of a person walking their dog

Enjoy the Benefits of a Physically Active Lifestyle

Sitting less and moving more are universal healthy lifestyle goals for everyone – even if you’re already losing weight on one of the newer obesity medications. Prolonged sitting is a top risk factor for developing diabetes, weight gain, obesity, increased blood fats, cardiovascular disease, some forms of cancer, depression, and even premature death. Did you

Read More
White plate of colorful, healthy stir fry

Rotate and Repeat: A Healthy Meal Planning Strategy

Planning your meals and snacks is a proven strategy for eating better and improving health. Though this does take some time, it doesn‘t have to be time intensive. In this blog, I share some tips to help you and your family eat more healthfully: 1-Make a Rotate and Repeat Plan Did you know that most

Read More