Guest: Donald D. Hensrud, M.D., M.S., M.P.H. (@DonaldHensrudMD)

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD) 

It’s estimated that approximately 70% of Americans are either overweight or obese. Obesity in the United States is a major health issue, resulting in an increased risk of coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. It also carries significant economic costs. As a result, the diet industry is booming. It’s thought that the weight loss industry has over $20 billion in annual revenue. Some diets are legitimate, while others are not only ineffective but may be dangerous to one’s health. To help us sort out diets and weight loss, we’re joined by nutrition expert Dr. Donald Hensrud, a Mayo Clinic physician in Preventative Medicine. He is also the medical director for the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program here in Rochester and editor in chief of two books on dieting, The Mayo Clinic Diet and The Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.