Time for Obesity Week 2016!

[Elizabeth Anderson RD 669]

The best minds in obesity research and medicine have convened to share their newest ideas and advances. Bariatric dietitian Elizabeth Anderson gives us a peek at some of the highlights.

The official opening ceremony for the 5th annual Obesity Week started first thing this morning in beautiful downtown New Orleans.

More than 4900 obesity surgeons, researchers, clinicians and policymakers gathered from 53 countries for this epic scientific meeting.

Keynote speaker Dr. Sadaf Farooqi delighted the huge audience by sharing a shocking one on one exchange she had with Queen Elizabeth's husband Prince Phillip. Let's put it this way--his understanding of the disease of obesity is horrifyingly ignorant.

Dr . Farooqi's main address covered her landmark work in understanding the pivotal role the hormone leptin plays in hunger, weight and satiety.

Other highlights of the day included big wig researcher, author and policy shaper, Dr. Kelly Brownell from Stanford University.

Brownell discussed how "strategic science" or strategic studies allow scientists to use their research results to actually improve our quality of life instead of merely being showcased in obscure science journals.

Also today we heard from patients that we still have a long way to go in eliminating weight bias in and among healthcare providers.

Encouraging news from healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente however. Dr. Trina Histon shared that KP has totally overhauled their physical facilities to ensure a safe and respectful experience for patients of all sizes.

One of the most exciting pieces of this year's meeting is the encouraging results and promise for many of the obesity meds on the market. There is a positive shift in attitude about the role this line of treatment can offer patients with obesity.

More tomorrow, stay tuned!

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

@Elizabeth Anderson,

Thanks for these notes on this important event! Obesity Week is always a great event for bringing the industry, researchers, and healthcare professionals together to discuss latest findings in obesity research and talk about

As you mentioned, the list of speakers was quite impressive! Dr. Farooqi has published research papers on a variety of obesity-related topics, including effects of obesity on the brain and brain aging (not good!), and some of the genetic factors that are linked to obesity (yes, there is a big genetic component!).

Dr. Brownell from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University has done all sorts of research on obesity and the environmental factors that can cause it. He has worked on health policy such as food labeling, sales taxes, and other legislation that could affect the public’s likelihood of choosing healthier or less healthy foods. What an exciting speaker!

Thanks for these notes. We look forward to your next update from the meeting!