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The Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) supports many aspects of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans , including: A strong emphasis on reducing intake of ultra-processed foods and added sugars A focus on nutrient-dense foods containing fiber, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains The recommendation to limit saturated fat intake to no more than 10% of total daily calories and to prioritize healthier unsaturated fats Emerging evidence highlighting the importance of nutrition in supporting gut microbiome health Support for extended breastfeeding as beneficial to both maternal and child health At the same time, the OMA emphasizes that obesity is a chronic, relapsing and progressive disease process affecting weight homeostasis.

Comprehensive obesity management ideally should utilize a spectrum of treatments -- nutrition therapy, physical activity, behavior modifications and medical interventions such as medication management. Medical nutrition therapy is an essential pillar regarding treatment of patients with obesity. Nutrition quality is just as critical as calorie reduction in obesity treatment. By reducing hunger signals, patients may find it easier to adhere to their nutritional goals. The Mediterranean diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and plant-forward diets each offer distinct benefits and varying levels of evidence supporting their role in obesity care. Source https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32059053/ The Mediterranean diet has the most consistent evidence for weight management and cardiometabolic benefits. The effect of the DASH diet with supervised physical activity decreases body weight, waist circumference, and fat mass. (Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go... ) When guiding patients on dietary choices, it is essential to consider cost and accessibility. For clinicians seeking additional guidance, the 2024 OMA Obesity Algorithm—Important Principles for the Effective Treatment of Patients with Obesity is a valuable resource and is free for OMA members.

In the U.S., only about 1% of people follow a strictly vegan diet, according to a 2023 Gallup poll. However, many others say they have considered or tried it or are at least trending away from animal-based foods.

Understand the link between inflammation, obesity, and how the Dietary Inflammatory Index can help mitigate health risks associated with chronic inflammation.

The Obesity Medicine Association, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, has created a number of cultural Healthy Eating Guides to be a resource to clinicians to…

In a world where obesity rates continue to rise, the search for effective, sustainable, and science-backed solutions has never been more critical. Among the numerous…

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are defined as “the conditions in the environment where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age that…

Learn more about ketogenic diets and whether they may help with weight loss, class 3 obesity, and obesity-related health conditions such as diabetes.

Teji Dhami, MD, FOMA has been a member of the OMA since 2017 and became a fellow of OMA in 2022. Dr. Dhami became a member…