Top 10 Things to Catch at ObesityWeek 2018

It’s just a week away: ObesityWeek 2018 in Nashville. Some of the brightest minds and most interesting people working on obesity will all be in one place. So grab the OW2018 app and plan ahead. It will come and go in a flash.

Here are a few things to look for. We’re calling it a top-10 list, but don’t ask for the objective scoring criteria. This is just a convenience list. Worth every penny you paid for it.

1. Steven Nissen Keynote

Steven Nissen turned FDA’s ideas about drug safety upside down a decade ago. He challenged the cardiovascular safety of popular NSAIDs and diabetes drugs. By embarrassing the FDA, he led the agency to require cardiovascular outcome studies for new diabetes and obesity drugs. Recently, he said the internet is breeding denialism that hurts patients. He can be controversial, but he certainly isn’t boring. Keynote details here.

2. Science, Media, and Nutrition

If you want to find a lively dialogue, be sure to tune into the Blackburn Symposium. David Ludwig, Christopher Gardner, and Kevin Hall all have some fascinating research to share and some sharp disagreements over what it means. Add in media reports and we wonder where the science went. Well, you’ll find it all here.

3. Disparities

You can find a good dose of data offering insights into the disparities linked with obesity. It’s not a simple story, but it’s worth tracking down the sessions here, here, here, here, here, and here.

4. Policy and Advocacy

You’ll find a good dose of diverse perspectives on policy and advocacy. Bill Purcell will present a great case study on evidence-informed policy changes transforming Nashville. We’ll be presenting in a joint ASMBS/TOS symposium on Wednesday. But that’s the least of it. Look here, here, here, and here to find much, much more.

5. Keynote: Daniel Drucker

A relatively new class of drugs, GLP-1 agonists, are beginning to transform the landscape for obesity pharmacotherapy. Daniel Drucker will present insights from his pioneering work on this pathway for metabolic regulation. Details here.

6. Diverse Patient Perspectives

Something unique this year at obesity week will be a symposium on Tuesday devoted entirely to the patient experience. Don’t miss it. You’ll also find more in posters here, here, and here.

7. Evolving Surgical Practices

Several sessions offer interesting perspectives on evolving surgical practices. Is RYGB still the gold standard? How can you incorporate technology into your practice? What does the future hold for incorporating obesity medicine into a surgical program?

8. Food Addiction and Hedonic Eating

The idea of food addiction has captured popular culture and science is struggling to catch up. This session will serve to set a few things straight.

9. Nerd Night

With a name like this, we’ve gotta go. And besides, they’ll have some great folks delivering some great lines. Maybe a little science will creep in. Real science, delivered funny, in a bar. Claim your seat early. This one might sell out.

10. Hot Chicken!

We’ve heard claims that Nashville hot chicken can do amazing things for metabolism. We have doubts, but it’s worth trying. Check out this list or wander on down to the Peg Leg Porker. Admittedly, the Peg Leg is serving much more than Yardbird, but it’s all worth a visit.

Much More

Obviously, there’s much more to find at ObesityWeek than this little list can hold. Feel free to share comments below about other highlights we should all be looking for.

Nashville Sporting Goods, photograph © Brent Moore / flickr

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November 5, 2018