Fall Conference Debrief: Advancing Body Composition in Obesity Care

This fall was a whirlwind of opportunities to connect with healthcare professionals and dive into the latest developments in nutrition, obesity care, and body composition analysis. From engaging discussions on cutting-edge topics to exciting advancements in clinical tools and approaches, here’s a recap of the highlights from a busy conference season!

FNCE in Minneapolis

The Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (#FNCE) brought over 6,000 dietitians to Minneapolis for sessions on cutting-edge topics like the gut microbiome, ultraprocessed foods, and the impact of sleep and hormones on women’s health. A standout theme this year was the growing interest in incretin-based obesity medications and GLP-1 receptor agonists.

I had the privilege of moderating Navigating Obesity Medications: Exercise and Nutrition with a Patient-Centered Approach, alongside Renee Rogers, PhD, and Morgan Dickison, RD. We explored evidence-based recommendations for protein intake and resistance training tailored to patients taking these medications. The message was clear: while evidence is still emerging, individualized care remains the cornerstone of effective obesity management.

Cardiometabolic Health Congress (CMHC) in Boston

At the 19th Annual Cardiometabolic Health Congress, obesity medications and body composition analysis were at the forefront. Discussions centered on preserving muscle mass during significant weight loss—a growing focus as these new treatments show cardiometabolic benefits. Dr. Angela Fitch joined us for a LIVE ‘ASK the Experts’ at our booth and was able to connect with cardiologists from across the country.

Dr. Louis Aronne from Weill Cornell Medical highlighted the parallels between managing obesity and other chronic conditions, urging clinicians to approach obesity with the same consistency as hypertension or lipid disorders. The importance of body composition in understanding outcomes like muscle mass retention during weight loss was a key takeaway.

OMA Summit in Charleston

The first of the newly restructured Fall OMA meetings, the OMA Summit, debuted in Charleston this year and emphasized women’s health, with a focus on topics like hormonal balance, PCOS, and the menopause transition. Body composition metrics such as muscle mass and visceral fat emerged as vital tools for understanding changes during this phase of life, underscoring the inadequacy of relying on weight alone.

During a fireside chat, Igniting Your Practice with Body Comp, I discussed strategies for integrating body composition into clinical workflows. The collaborative atmosphere provided rich discussions on aligning care with the unique needs of women navigating menopause.

I can honestly say that I learned more about perimenopause and the menopause transition than I expected, and I was so excited to hear how many times body composition came up in discussions about changes to women’s adipose tissue, visceral fat, and muscle mass during this time. Metrics like muscle mass and visceral fat provide more personalized insights, particularly for women navigating hormonal changes like menopause!

Check out the podcast episode with Dr. Sejal Desai recapping this topic and the meeting! Listen here.

Obesity Week in San Antonio

The Obesity Society’s Obesity Week 2024 brought together a multidisciplinary audience of over 3,000 to address access to care, weight bias, and cutting-edge treatments. The role of body composition in evaluating outcomes and enhancing patient engagement was a major focus.

Hearing three-year outcomes from the SURMOUNT-1 Tirzepatide trials was exciting! The 15 mg dose showed an average 22.9% weight loss, with 95% of participants losing over 5%, and more than 40% losing over 25% of their body weight—WOW! It was also incredible to see Dr. Debbie Horn and Dr. Michelle Look present case studies on body composition changes during their Jeopardy-style session, ‘Losing the Lean.’

Body composition was the focus of so many sessions in unique ways at this meeting! I was thrilled to see two of my favorite researchers, Dr. Ricardo Rosero from Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Grant Tinsley from Texas Tech, discussing their work on phase angle and skeletal muscle mass. Meeting Dr. Tinsley in person after recording our recent podcast episode was a highlight. Check out our deep dive into body composition methodologies here: Breaking Down Body Composition.

ASMBS Weekend in Atlanta

The ASMBS Weekend brought a more intimate gathering of metabolic and bariatric surgery professionals to Atlanta. This year’s program featured practical sessions and the first-ever Leadership Academy for Integrated Health Providers, focused on leadership challenges, change management, and conflict resolution.

I was invited to speak on the panel Nontraditional Pathways to Leadership, where we shared unique journeys and lessons learned in navigating nontraditional roles in leadership. The smaller setting fostered some incredible conversations at our booth and during an evening networking session co-hosted with Accomplish Health & ProCare Health Vitamins and Supplements.

ICAA Wellness Think Tank in Raleigh

The ICAA Wellness Think Tank explored how retirement communities can integrate wellness services, with body composition analysis highlighted as a key tool. Communities already using seca devices have seen increased participation in personal training programs, showcasing the value of personalized health metrics in engaging residents.

Stay tuned for a podcast featuring one of our clients sharing their experiences on this topic!

Looking Ahead

This fall reinforced the critical role of body composition in advancing personalized care for patients with obesity and beyond. Whether through emerging medications, tailored nutritional strategies, or innovative tools like bioimpedance analysis (BIA), the focus remains on transforming healthcare delivery to prioritize individualized care and better outcomes.