Learning Objectives:

• Understanding Genetic Contributions to Obesity
  • By the end of this talk, participants will be able to describe the role of genetic factors in obesity susceptibility.
• Exploring Epigenetic Mechanisms in Obesity Development
  • After this session, participants will be familiar with epigenetic modifications related to obesity.
•  Recognizing Environmental Drivers of Obesity
  • By the end of this talk, participants will be able to identify key environmental factors contributing to obesity.

Part 1: Physiologic Regulation of Body Weight and Body Composition

Presented by Steven Heymsfield, MD

Learning Objectives: 
- Describe the key features and regulatory pathway for dietary supplements for weight loss.
- Identify the ingredients and their effectiveness that comprise dietary supplements.

Part 2: Energy Homeostasis: Role of Energy Expenditure in Weight Regulation

Presented by Eric Ravussin, PhD

Learning Objectives:
- You will learn that energy balance is not simply derived from energy intake and energy expenditure but needs to consider fat, carbohydrate and protein balances as different entities.  
- You will also be presented with data showing that a low energy expenditure, a low fat oxidation and a low sympathetic activity are all risk factors for weight gain.
- Finally, the concept of metabolic adaptation will be discussed.    

Part 3: Obesity and the Brain: Why and How Surgery and Pharmacotherapy work

Presented by Christopher D. Morrison, PhD

Learning Objectives:
- Generally understand how interoceptive mechanisms coordinate food intake in response to changes in nutritional state.
- Understand the mechanisms through which nutritional information is communicated to the brain.
- Understand the role of the brain in the weight loss effects of GLP1-based pharmaceuticals and bariatric surgery

Presented by Vance Albaugh, MD, PhD

Learning Objectives: 

• Have a broad understanding of the initial assessment of the patient with obesity, specifically the weight loss/weight gain history.
• Understand the rationale for the typical screening tests and workup to complement the weight loss/weight gain history.
• Understand the general rationale of “obesity staging” and how it guides treatment decisions.

Presented by Catherine M. Champagne, PhD, RDN, LDN

Learning Objectives: 

- Attendees will be able to describe what the clinical nutrition assessment prior to bariatric surgery entails, and why this is best completed by a Registered Dietitian.
- Attendees will be able to determine what diets prior to bariatric surgery and post bariatric surgery are most appropriate for the patient. 

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the role of dietary patterns and meal replacements in the treatment of obesity.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe key component of a behavioral weight loss intervention.
• Identify good candidates for an intensive behavioral intervention in your practice.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe key component of a behavioral weight loss intervention.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the presentation attendees will be able to discuss the following breakthroughs:
  • Tirzepatide treatment for adult obesity shows >90% can achieve >10% weight loss;
  • Semaglutide gets FDA indication for obesity management in children age 12-18;
  • Semaglutide for obesity achieves indication for secondary prevention of cv events;
  • Semaglutide shows promise in HFpEF and chronic kidney disease;
  • Obesity drug development uses GLP-1 backbone with 4 new compounds in phase 3; and
  • Post-marketing surveillance posts reassuring

Part 1: Guidelines, overview of procedures, benefits, pre-surgery assessment

Presented by Vance Albaugh, MD, PhD

Learning Objectives: 
- Be familiar with the updated guidelines/indications for metabolic/bariatric surgery.
- Identify the most common metabolic/bariatric operations that are currently utilized in the United States.
- Understand contraindications to metabolic/bariatric surgery.
- Understand the rationale for commonly used testing in the preoperative surgical patient.

Part 2: Post-op complications, long term health maintenance, weight regain

Presented by Philip Schauer, MD, FACS, FASMBS

Learning Objectives: 
- Summarize Long-term Benefits of Metabolic Surgery
- Review Post-Operative Management

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding Genetic Obesity Mechanisms:
  • By the end of this talk, participants will be able to explain the underlying genetic factors contributing to obesity.
• Recognizing Clinical Features in Genetic Obesity: Unmasking Hyperphagia
  • By the end of this talk, participants will be able to recognize key clinical features associated with genetic obesity, including hyperphagia, and understand the importance of identifying pathological hunger and cravings.
• Recognizing Syndromic Obesity Patterns:
  • By the end of this talk, participants will be able to recognize common syndromes associated with obesity.