Conference Coverage

Effective obesity care starts with recognizing the complexity of the condition and the impacts of weight bias and stigma on patient care. Joining Dr. Peter Buch to discuss the evolving role of GLP-1–based therapies and explore how shared decision-making can help clinicians engage patients as active partners in long-term obesity care is Ted Kyle. He's the Founder of ConscienHealth, Policy and Advocacy Advisor to the Obesity Society, and Past Chair of the Obesity Action Coalition.

The role of triple agonist therapies in obesity and type 2 diabetes management is evolving. Hear from Dr. Javier Morales as he explains how these therapies work and what these advances may mean for individualized treatment strategies. Dr. Morales is an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Barbara and Donald Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University and Northwell.

Today, obesity treatment often combines medical and surgical strategies rather than following a strict step-by-step approach. GLP-1 therapies, older medications, and procedures like sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass all have a place in an individualized, patient-centered plan. Joining Dr. Peter Buch to discuss how we can integrate these approaches into obesity care is Dr. Devika Umashanker, Program Director of the Obesity Medicine Fellowship at Hartford HealthCare and an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University.

Obesity is one of the biggest drivers of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and the two conditions often need to be managed together. To get patients the results they need, clinicians must know how to screen effectively, rule out other liver conditions, and match treatment to disease stage. On this episode of GI Insights, Dr. Peter Buch talks with Dr. David Tendler about how to approach these decisions in everyday practice. Dr. Tendler is part of the clinical faculty at the Duke University Department of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.

As GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce appetite and food intake, nutrition and exercise counseling can help patients navigate potential gastrointestinal effects and nutrient shortfalls while establishing sustainable habits. Learn more as Dr. Laura Chiavaroli discusses how we can individualize dietary guidance and incorporate aerobic and resistance training based on patients’ preferences, access, and lifestyle. She's an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto and an affiliate scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael's Hospital.

For kids with atopic dermatitis, the itch-scratch cycle can perpetuate inflammation, damage the skin barrier, and significantly impact quality of life. Join Dr. Mariam Iqneibi, pediatric dermatologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, as she explores the mechanisms driving the itch-scratch cycle, the unique challenges of recognizing itch in infants, and practical strategies to help children and their families manage symptoms and minimize skin damage.

In atopic dermatitis, the timing of itch relief and visible skin improvement can make all the difference in how patients perceive their response to topical JAK inhibitor therapy. Andrew Mastro, physician assistant at the Illinois Dermatology Institute and DeNova Research in Chicago, shares his approach to translating clinical trial data into practical counseling strategies, setting meaningful treatment milestones, and timing follow-up visits to capture early wins and address emerging challenges.

Persistent itching in children with atopic dermatitis can disrupt sleep, impair quality of life, and contribute to recurring flares. Join Dr. Mariam Iqneibi as she discusses practical strategies for breaking the itch-scratch cycle through effective inflammation control, proactive maintenance therapy, and gentle skincare. She's a pediatric dermatologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Despite advances in targeted topical therapies for atopic dermatitis, significant gaps remain in treatment access and options for patients at both ends of the age spectrum. Join Andrew Mastro, physician assistant at the Illinois Dermatology Institute and DeNova Research in Chicago, as he explores the challenges of treating infants and older adults, barriers to accessing newer therapies, and opportunities to improve patient outcomes across all age groups.

Prediabetes may signal more than the future development of diabetes; it can also provide an opportunity to identify and address cardiovascular risk earlier. Here to recap his presentation at the 2026 European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting is Dr. John Ostrominski, preventive cardiologist and obesity medicine specialist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Ostrominski explains how cardiovascular risk assessment can inform individualized prevention strategies and why risk-reduction efforts should not wait until diabetes develops.