Obesity has emerged as a global epidemic with significant repercussions for public health due to its strong relationship with diseases such as from insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, and sarcopenia. Despite the central role of adipose tissue in obesity, recent research highlights the important role of altered muscle cell (i.e., fiber) type in the development of these disease states, and in the efficacy of weight-loss interventions. There is an intricate relationship between muscle fiber types and metabolism and function in both health and disease, which we are just beginning to understand. Specifically, decrease in muscle fibers characterized by increased capacity for oxidative metabolism, referred as Type I muscle fibers, impair glucose and fat utilization in muscle and drives the underlying pathology associated with disease states indicated above. From lifestyle point of view, lower content of Type I fibers in muscle decreases the contractile function of the muscle, the capacity to perform physical activity/exercise. Also, lower content of Type I fibers in muscle is an independent predictor of weight-loss interventions. The proposed session intends to elucidate the link between skeletal muscle, obesity, and various diseases, shedding insights on how the skeletal muscle, and specifically how altered fiber phenotype within skeletal muscles drives the development of disease states and the success of various weight-loss strategies, including dietary interventions, exercise programs, and bariatric surgery. Moreover, the session intends to provide real life recommendations to address approaches that can either modify the muscle fiber phenotype in individuals with obesity or compensate for the presence of unfavorable muscle fiber phenotype in these individuals.

The presentation will employ diagrams, concept maps, and videos to simplify complex concepts, make the content more engaging, and enhance understanding. The presentation will include series of thought-provoking questions to stimulate critical thinking and encourage participation. The session will use problem-solving exercises, where I will guide the audience through the process of solving a clinical challenge in a way to link basic knowledge in muscle physiology to real-world situations. All these activities will provide opportunities for meaningful interactions between the audience and the presenter, as well as amongst the attendees. The insights shared during this session have the potential to shape future clinical strategies in the fight against obesity

CME/CE Expiration Date: 4/26/27

*The expiration date listed above is the last day CME/CE credit can be claimed for this specific presentation.