In this episode of POMA DOes…, James Zervios, Chief Operating Officer of the Obesity Action Coalition, joins Christopher Still, DO, Director of the Geisinger Obesity Institute, for a discussion on obesity and weight loss. They explore the wide range of treatment options, including lifestyle changes, behavioral strategies, medications, and bariatric surgery, while also addressing common challenges such as cost and insurance coverage. They also highlight the importance of long-term, individualized care, the role of mental health, and the need to recognize obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease.
Key Takeaways:
Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease that requires comprehensive, long-term care tailored to each patient. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Treatment options are expanding, from diet, exercise, and behavioral modification to medications (like GLP-1s) and bariatric surgery. However, access can be limited by cost and insurance coverage.
Mental health and expectations matter. Patients often hope medication will solve everything, but sustainable success usually requires a holistic, physician-guided approach.
Stopping treatment too soon can lead to relapse. For example, up to 75% of patients regain weight within a year of discontinuing GLP-1 medications.
The Obesity Action Coalition offers trusted information and resources for patients and providers at obesityaction.org.
CME Information:
This episode was developed entirely by POMA. Dr. Christopher Still, faculty for this educational event, is an independent contractor and consultant, serves on the speaker's bureau for Novo Nordisk and Lilly, consults for Boehringer Ingelheim and Currax, and is a contractor for Ethicon Endosurgery. All relevant financial relationships listed have been mitigated.
James Zervios, along with the planners for this episode, has no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.
The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. POMA designates this activity for a maximum of 0.5 Category 1-B AOA CME credits. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the AOA.
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