Each generation ushers in a unique perspective on how we work and live. Whether it’s embracing daily usage of emojis, asking for efficiency in meetings, establishing clarity through hierarchy, or demanding diverse representation, every generational cohort leaves a distinct mark. These differences in perspective are wonderful and enriching, but can also cause frustration and disconnection when not properly understood. 
 
In this presentation, Lisa Walden brings some clarity to the generational conversation, providing an extra lens for you to better connect with those you interact with every day. She’ll break down the heart of generational theory, bust some common stereotypes, and generate awareness for why each generation behaves the way they do. Armed with the power of generational understanding, you can venture into the work world work with the tools you need to improve connection and build stronger relationships with colleagues and patients alike. 

Learning Objectives: 

Decrypting every generation’s formative years, and how those experiences inform distinct generational identities 

Identify the potential areas for disconnect across generations, and how to overcome those barriers and build stronger relationships.

Explore how the newest generation, Gen Z, will shake up how we work, communicate, and connect 

Alicia Shelly, MD will discuss the prevalence and etiologies of weight regain after bariatric surgery. It will also discuss current available treatments for managing Weight Regain after bariatric surgery.  This interactive session will utilize case-based learning to explore best practices for treatment of weight regain after bariatric surgery. 

Learning Objectives:

Define weight regain and discuss the prevalence of weight regain after bariatric surgery. 

Manage patients who suffer with weight regain after bariatric surgery. 

Describe the causes of weight regain after bariatric surgery. 

A core component of obesity treatment includes recognition of weight promoting medications and their alternatives.  Transitioning off of weight promoting medications onto weight friendly alternative is another challenge. Katie Trotta, PharmD, BCACP and Elizabeth Mills, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES will identify commonly used medications that are known to promote weight gain and the benefits of their more favorable substitutes. The program will explore key considerations for safe transition off of weight positive medications along with strategies to prevent unintended complications from medication withdrawal.

Learning Objectives:

Identify commonly use medications that promote weight gain

List suitable alternatives to weight promoting medications

Utilize strategies for the safe transition off of weight promoting medications and on to weight favorable alternatives

Over the last decade, the FDA has approved five new medications for the treatment of obesity. The latest edition, semaglutide, published impressive weight loss results and we are just beginning. There is a rich pipeline of future anti-obesity medications (AOM) that will give provides excellent options for both the treatment of obesity and of the obesity-related diseases. This session will start with reviewing some of the common pathophysiologic pathways that current and future AOM’s target then discuss emerging and future prospects of pharmacotherapy for the treatment of obesity.

Learning Objectives:

Identify pathophysiologic pathways targeted to treat obesity

Discuss emerging therapies for the medical treatment of obesity

Describe some novel obesity treatments under investigation

Discuss the role cardiovascular outcomes may play in the evaluation of AOM’s

Learning Objectives:

Discuss key takeaways from the pharmacology lectures
 Ask specific questions about managing obesity with the use of pharmacology in a Q&A panel with faculty experts.

Physical activity is considered an important component of obesity treatment; however, the effect of physical activity on weight can be variable. Moreover, the dose, intensity, and mode of physical activity may contribute to the weight loss response. This session will explore these factors related to the effects of physical activity on weight loss and with weight maintenance.    

Learning Objectives:

Describe the effects of physical activity on weight loss and weight loss maintenance in adults with overweight or obesity.

Describe the effects of different volumes and intensities of physical activity on weight loss and weight loss maintenance in adults with overweight or obesity.

Describe the effects of different modes of physical activity on weight loss and weight loss maintenance in adults with overweight or obesity.

Knowledge is good, skills are better. This session will focus on applying physical activity programs in the treatment of obesity. The cases will involve developing an activity plan with a patient, tracking progress, and overcoming challenges to maintaining an activity plan.

Learning Objectives:

 Develop a patient-centered activity plan

 Utilize tools to track physical activity progress and outcomes

 Analyze and strategize ways to help overcome activity limitations

Learning Objectives:

 Discuss key takeaways from the physical activity lecture.

Ask specific questions about managing obesity with the use of physical activity in a Q&A panel with faculty experts.

The BIG Picture — NAFLD, the Sentinel Disorder of Metabolic Syndrome 

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the importance of liver fat in chronic disease 

Describe the role of mitochondria in liver fat 

Discuss the role of fructose in mitochondrial dysfunction 

Utilize lifestyle strategies to protect liver function

Description: Obesity medicine clinicians routinely have challenging conversations with patients. Many patients have emotionally charged histories about their weight and health. Previous encounters with biased clinicians influence a patient’s willingness to trust the clinician and engage in treatment. In this presentation, the presenters will demonstrate real-life clinical conversations that utilize a coaching mindset and incorporate the concepts of Motivational Interviewing and the 5 As of obesity counseling. We will go beyond theories and demonstrate examples of what works. Because telling a patient what to do or how to feel rarely works, clinicians will learn how to structure the conversation in a manner that establishes and maintains trust in the therapeutic relationship, elicits the patient’s motivation to change, and leads to improved health behaviors. 

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the importance of establishing and maintaining trust in the therapeutic relationship

Describe the theoretical frameworks of Motivational Interviewing, the 5 As of obesity counseling, and health coaching

Integrate the concepts of Motivational Interviewing, the 5 As of obesity counseling, and health coaching into common, real-life clinical conversations