Health Talks Sessions

Whole Child Health: Creating a Supportive Environment for Children

As we recognize Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, join us for an insightful OAC Health Talk with Jill Castle, MS, RDN, a renowned pediatric nutrition expert, as we explore the concept of “Whole Child Health” and how to create a supportive environment for children. In this talk, Jill will address the harmful effects of food and body shaming and provide actionable strategies for parents and caretakers to foster a positive family culture. Discover how embracing open-minded attitudes about health, bodies and food can help children thrive physically and emotionally. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn practical ways to ensure that children feel accepted and loved at every size!

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Understanding Eating Disorders & Obesity

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that impact millions of individuals and often intersect with obesity in unexpected ways. In this OAC Health Talk, psychologist and certified eating disorders specialist Kelly Broadwater, LPA, and anti-weight discrimination advocate Melinda J Watman, RN, will delve into various eating disorders and their connection to obesity. The pair will also outline essential treatment components and guide you on where to find help if you or a loved one is struggling.

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PCOS and

PCOS and Weight with Priya Jaisinghan, MD

Join Dr. Priya Jaisinghani, a triple board-certified physician specializing in Obesity Medicine and Endocrinology and a Clinical Assistant Professor for an insightful Health Talk on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and its relationship to excess weight and obesity. PCOS is a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. In this talk, Dr. Jaisinghani will explore its causes, how it impacts weight and overall health, and effective strategies for managing this condition. Whether you’re personally affected by PCOS or simply want to learn more, this talk will provide valuable insights and practical advice.

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Beyond BMI: Understanding Body Composition and Obesity

Beyond BMI: Understanding Body Composition and Obesity

Empower your health journey with knowledge beyond Body Mass Index (BMI). Explore the importance of body composition metrics and learn how they impact your well-being. With the increasing usage of obesity medications, understanding these metrics is more crucial than ever. Join experts Nina Crowley, PhD, and Angela Fitch, MD, for our next Health Talk on Obesity Medications and Body Composition.

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The Gap in Medication Testing for Individuals with Obesity

What is an Obesity Medicine Specialist?

In this OAC Health Talk, Kimberly Gudzune, MD, MPH, FTOS, will tell you everything you need to know about obesity medicine specialists! While Obesity Medicine Specialists are different from other doctors, they’re just as important to have on your team of healthcare professionals if you’re considering medical obesity treatment. And with the unsafe practice of GLP1 compounding on the rise, it’s crucial to know you can trust the doctor you’re working with. Dr. Gudzune will even tell you what to expect during your first visit to an obesity medicine specialist!

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The Gap in Medication Testing for Individuals with Obesity

Unveiling Disparities: The Gap in Medication Testing for Individuals with Obesity

Medications are used every day by people with obesity to treat conditions unrelated to weight, like depression, infections and cancer. People with obesity deserve to know if the medications they use are safe and effective for them, but right now, there is no requirement that new drugs be specifically tested in people with obesity before approval, putting them at unnecessary risk for poorer health outcomes. In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Joe Nadglowski and Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford will discuss the gap in medication testing for individuals with obesity.

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Male Issues in Mental Health and Obesity

Male Issues in Mental Health and Obesity

Overall, men have higher rates of overweight and obesity than women but are often less likely to seek outside help for care and treatment. Similarly, men are less likely than women to seek help for their mental health. In this OAC Health Talk, behavioral expert and bariatric specialist Paul Davidson, PhD, will address the issues men face when it comes to mental health and obesity, including the challenges, barriers in finding care and how to overcome them.

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Using Music for Self Care

Using Music for Self Care

Did you know that stress can have an impact on weight? Many people increase their food intake in response to stress. However, music is an alternative source of comfort and can be a great tool in your coping toolbox! In this OAC Health Talk, licensed social worker and board-certified music therapist Stephanie Zaic will break down the concept of music therapy and teach you how to create a musical biography and playlist for self-care.

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Medications to Treat Obesity: Separating Fact from Fiction

Medications to Treat Obesity: Separating Fact from Fiction

There is much confusion around medications to treat obesity. We all have questions like, “Isn’t taking medications to treat obesity the easy way out?” or “Won’t I regain weight if I stop taking the medication?” In this OAC Health Talk, Dr. Nisha Patel, a physician in the field of obesity, culinary medicine, and clinical lipidology, will help you separate fact from fiction by breaking down common myths and misconceptions about anti-obesity medications.

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Signs, Symptoms and Forms of Post-operative Addiction

Signs, Symptoms and Forms of Post-operative Addiction

Post-operative addiction is often overly simplified as transfer addiction or cross-addiction, assuming individuals “trade” compulsive eating for other compulsive behaviors. In this OAC Health Talk, Kelly Broadwater, psychologist and certified eating disorder specialist, will help you understand how addictive processes occur after surgery by breaking down the signs, symptoms and forms of post-operative addiction.

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Telemedicine: Medical Obesity Care at Your Fingertips

Telemedicine: Medical Obesity Care at Your Fingertips

Telemedicine became a popular tool during the pandemic because it allows healthcare professionals to provide medical care to patients in different locations through electronic communication. But what does that mean for patients with obesity? In this Health Talk, Dr. Katherine H. Saunders will tell us about the benefits and drawbacks of telemedicine and how it can improve access to obesity care. She will also provide some tips on how to get the most out of your virtual appointments.

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Health Talks: Robotic Surgery - the future of obesity care

Robotic Surgery- The Future of Obesity Care

Considering a robotic surgery procedure? In this Health Talk, you’ll hear from bariatric surgeon Walter Medlin, MD, ASMBS, who will tell you about robotic surgery, if you should consider it for yourself and what questions you should ask your surgeon before considering robotic surgery. Watch to find out what the future holds for obesity care and bariatric surgery!

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Health Talks: Seasonal Depression

How to Cope with Seasonal Stress and Depression

With fall in full bloom and winter right around the corner, the seasons are changing rapidly and sometimes that can affect your mental state. Managing stress and depression during the changing seasons can be difficult and sometimes feel impossible. In this Health Talk, you will hear from clinical health psychologist, Robyn Pashby, PhD, who will provide you with some helpful tips on how you can cope with seasonal stress and depression.

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Health Talks: Aaron Kelly

Helping Your Child Who Has Challenges with Weight

It can be challenging to find the right help for your child who has obesity. The first step is to understand the complex, chronic disease of obesity, how it affects children and the different treatment options available for children and adolescents. In this Health Talk, you will hear from a Professor of Pediatrics, Aaron Kelly, PhD, who will help you understand what childhood obesity is, how to talk to your child’s healthcare provider about it and the different treatment options available.

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Health Talks: Jill Cruz

Understanding and Managing Your Food Cravings

Why we crave certain foods can be difficult to understand. Between the different types of food cravings and how hard it can be to control each of them, it can feel impossible to manage. In this OAC Health Talk, you will hear from Board Certified Nutrition Specialist, Jill Cruz, MS, CNS, who will help you recognize the different types of food cravings and provide you with some helpful tips on how to take charge of them.

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Health Talks: Connie Stapleton

Eating Disorders: What to Know and Identifying Signs

Eating disorders can be a concern or question for many who are along the journey to improved weight and health. More specifically, it can be tough to know how to spot signs you could be dealing with an eating disorder, in addition to having the proper tools in order to address this issue. Often times, eating disorders can go undiagnosed due to stigma, a lack of information or inability to recognize symptoms. Licensed psychologist, Connie Stapleton, PhD, will provide us with helpful information about the different types of eating disorders and the impact on your physical and mental health, while also offering hands-on tools to recognize and treat this important issue.

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Health Talks: Holly Lofton

Find a Program that Works for You: Setting Yourself Up for 2022

With the holidays behind us and 2022 now here, many of us are ready to tackle our nutrition and health goals that we set coming into the new year. However, when it comes to nutrition and health, there are so many different plans and treatment options advertised that it can be difficult picking the right one for you. In this OAC Health Talk, Holly F. Lofton, MD, will help you understand how to navigate your options and find a health plan that meets your lifestyle and health goals.

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Health Talks: Nina Crowley

How to Enjoy the Holidays and Stay on Track

The holidays can be a time of joy as you gather around family and friends, but it can also bring stress and make it tough to stay on track. It’s important to know how to keep yourself mentally, emotionally and physically healthy during the holidays. In this OAC Health Talk, you will hear from Nina Crowley, PhD, RDN, LD, as she provides you with some tips and tricks on how to stay on track and check in with yourself during this holiday season.

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Health Talks: Kristal Hartman

Bariatric Surgery – Everything You Need to Know Before and After Surgery from a Patient Perspective

Making the decision to have bariatric surgery can bring on different emotions for everyone. And once the surgery is scheduled, likely you’ve faced many questions centered around the uncertainty of what to expect physically, mentally and emotionally. In this OAC Health Talk, you will get to hear directly from a patient who has been through this whole process of making the decision and preparing for bariatric surgery. OAC National Board Member and bariatric surgery patient, Kristal Hartman, will walk you through what to expect as you enter this next phase in your journey and help you be better prepared for what’s to come.

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Health Talks: Sarah Muntel, RD

Why Eating Less and Moving More is Not the Simple Solution to Obesity

The truth is, there is no simple solution to treating obesity. Eating less and moving more is not the answer when treating obesity and it’s time that people recognize that! The disease of obesity is complex and not one type of treatment works for everyone. Understanding the science behind obesity and dispelling the common myths is crucial when choosing a treatment plan that works best for you and your lifestyle. Join Sarah Muntel, RD, for an educational conversation about focusing on lifestyle versus dieting, living a balanced life, the science behind calorie counting and much more!

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Health Talks: Dr. Pashby - Covid-19

Covid-19 and Getting Back Out There

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has had a profound effect on all our lives, and as restrictions are slowly being lifted, we know there is a lot on everyone’s minds as we re-enter society and navigate this new normal. The OAC is honored to have Robyn Pashby, PhD, a licensed clinical health psychologist and certified health coach, address these concerns and provide useful guidance on navigating the post-COVID world.

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