Q&A: Obesity Medicine 2024 is ‘a pinnacle moment,’ featuring latest updates in treatment

Key takeaways:

• The Obesity Medicine Association will host its annual meeting in Denver, April 24-28.
• About 1,300 clinicians and students will be in attendance, according to the OMA president.

Hundreds of clinicians will gather in Denver next week to discuss the latest treatment strategies and evidence-based approaches to obesity management.

The Obesity Medicine Association’s (OMA’s) 2024 Conference kicks off April 24-28, featuring a wide range of speakers and topics in the field of obesity medicine. The meeting is now the OMA’s largest event of the year, followed by a more narrowly focused summit on obesity and women’s health in the fall.

Healio will be on site providing live coverage of this year's conference, so be sure to check back regularly for updates.

We spoke with Angela Fitch, MD, FACP, FOMA, the chief medical officer of knownwell — an integrated primary and obesity care provider — and the outgoing president of the Obesity Medicine Association, about this year’s conference to learn more.

Healio: The name of this year's conference is "A New Path Forward." Can you explain why?

Fitch: We chose “A New Path Forward” as the theme for Obesity Medicine 2024 to signify the new cadence of hosting one annual conference (vs. the previous schedule of two full conferences each year). This serves as a pinnacle moment each year for the organization and its membership. This theme pairs the OMA organizational change with current emerging treatment strategies and significant gains in recognizing obesity as a disease. The conference will explore novel treatment strategies, technologies and interdisciplinary approaches in evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes.

Healio: What are some of the biggest topics and talks at this year's conference?

Fitch: The keynote session at Obesity Medicine 2024 will be led by Dr. David E. Arterburn, a general internist and a health services researcher at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute. Dr. Arterburn is an affiliate professor with the University of Washington’s Department of Medicine in Seattle. This session will focus on the paradigm shift in obesity treatment, spurred by the introduction of newer, highly effective anti-obesity medications. Dr. Arterburn will provide exploration into the next 5 to 10 years of obesity treatment and what this might mean for clinicians who serve patients with obesity.

The presidential welcome and address will be led by myself and the OMA’s incoming president, Dr. Lydia Alexander. We will provide an overview of OMA’s successes over 2023 and what our key strategies are for 2024. Within this address, I will welcome Dr. Alexander as the new president of the OMA.

The OMA 2024 Conference will offer sessions that will provide specific insights into addressing pediatric and adolescent obesity. These sessions delve into evidence-based strategies tailored specifically for adolescents with obesity, including the latest research on risk factors, and comorbidities. Attendees will gain practical tools and resources for effectively assessing and managing obesity in children, with a focus on promoting healthy growth and development.

Healio: A lot of the presentations focus on culinary medicine. Can you tell us about that?

Fitch: Culinary medicine offers the opportunity to blend learning with practical healthy eating. Attendees will explore teaching kitchen elements, the scope of culinary medicine and the key team members who must be involved for a comprehensive approach to patient care. Participants will engage in hands-on cooking activities and receive resources for further learning. Assisting our attendees to understand the nutritional composition of ingredients and different cooking techniques enables them to offer tailored dietary guidance that suits individual preferences and cultural backgrounds. Culinary medicine encourages a collaborative approach between patients and physicians, aimed at creating sustainable lifestyle changes.

Healio: What makes Obesity Medicine 2024 stand out from other conferences on obesity?

Fitch: The OMA 2024 Conference stands out from others because of its dynamic approach to addressing the complexities of the disease of obesity through treatment and prevention. The conference combines educational sessions, hands-on learning experiences and networking opportunities to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of evidence-based strategies for treating obesity.

The OMA 2024 Conference offers educational opportunities on a wide variety of topics related to obesity medicine, including sessions on behavioral and psychosocial diagnoses and treatment, to sessions focused on addressing pharmacotherapy in adolescents with obesity. The OMA Conference 2024 will ensure all attendees are prepared for any case related to obesity they may encounter in their practice.

With its forward-thinking agenda and focus, the OMA 2024 Conference is at the forefront of advancing the field of obesity medicine. By attending a preconference course plus the annual conference, attendees can earn up to 30 CME/CE, which prepares them to sit for the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) exam or earn the OMA’s Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine.

The main component that sets an OMA conference apart from other conferences is that our clinicians are provided with the practical tools they need to competently treat the patient in front of them soon after engaging in our educational offerings. Think of a “how-to guide” to all things in the obesity care space, and that is what the OMA is all about.

Healio: Tell us what physicians should take away from this conference.

Fitch: Physicians (and quite frankly, all clinicians) attending the OMA 2024 Conference will gain insights into evidence-based strategies, innovative approaches and tools for treating obesity in clinical practice. Beyond the scientific knowledge, physicians will also acquire skills to work effectively with other health care professionals to address the needs of patients with obesity. They will be inspired to advocate for inclusive and equitable care, recognizing the importance of addressing social determinants of health. The conference will equip physicians with the knowledge, skills and motivation needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals affected by obesity. We hear year after year that providers immediately put into practice concepts learned at our conference that directly benefit their patients!

Editor’s note: Visit the OMA’s conference website for more information. Find additional obesity education on the OMA Academy website , or learn about the OMA’s “Treat or Refer” program , which was developed specifically for primary care providers.