Host: John Russell, MD

Guest: Robert F. Kushner, MD

Obesity affects 600 million people globally and over one third of the American population. Along with associated comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer; the direct and indirect costs of managing obesity are 21% of the total medical costs. The elevated risk for severe disease and death from COVID-19 associated with obesity and its comorbidities underscores the urgency to develop and implement effective prevention and treatment strategies. Current strategies for treating obesity rely on a "one-size-fits-all" approach despite significant pathophysiological heterogeneity among people with obesity. As a result, the response to obesity pharmacotherapy as well as diet and lifestyle interventions continues to be a hit-or-miss phenomenon with highly variable efficacies and outcomes. Currently available drugs only offer a 5% weight loss (in comparison to placebo) if both drug and placebo are given with a lifestyle intervention. However, we are now seeing the emergence of second-generation medications. Knowledge of the safety and efficacy of newly available therapeutic options is vital to health care practitioners as they work with patients to develop optimal, individualized, and long-term strategies for overcoming obesity.