Episode Summary:
Obesity is a chronic disease associated with related conditions such as cardiovascular disease(heart attack and stroke), type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. The current understanding of obesity demonstrates biological and environmental factors like economics and infrastructure, as psychosocial and developmental issues as essential contributors, and a newer understanding of their role in influencing the hypothalamus.
New treatment strategies and medications demonstrate opportunities for success in the management of obesity.
Guest:
Joshua Thaler, MD, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition.
Dr. Thaler graduated with a major in Biochemistry from Harvard College (Magna Cum Laude with Highest Honors and on the Dean’s List), then obtained an MD and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California, San Diego, and the Salk Institute (where he was a Chapman Scholar and a Lucille P. Markey Fellow). He short-tracked through the Internal Medicine residency program at UW and was an endocrinology/metabolism fellow working in Dr. Michael Schwartz’s laboratory. He is currently an Associate Professor at the UW Diabetes Institute.
Research Interests:
Dr. Thaler’s focus is the hypothalamic regulation of energy homeostasis and the alterations to this system during obesity pathogenesis. His primary project investigates hypothalamic inflammation and its relationship to high-fat diet-induced weight gain, emphasizing the role of glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) in modulating the neuronal regulation of energy homeostasis. In particular, his research aims to determine whether glial cells provide a repair response to diet-induced damage to critical hypothalamic neurons and whether interventions targeted at the glia may influence obesity. A second study examines the role of inflammatory signaling in hypothalamic neurons and microglia in obesity-associated insulin resistance and diabetes. Additionally, Dr. Thaler’s research examines the metabolic role of POMC neurons through the modification of atypical protein kinase C signaling.
During This Episode, We Discuss:
Obesity versus being overweight, what Body Mass Index (BMI) defines each condition?
Causes of obesity. New data on root causes
Health impact of obesity
The individualized approach to treating obesity
Investigations and Research into the role of the brain (Hypothalamus) in obesity and obesity management.
Successful strategies for managing obesity, including newer medications and Bariatric Surgery
Quotes (Tweetables):
The US obesity prevalence was 41.9% in 2017-March 2020
BMI 25-30 = overweight
BMI 30 or greater = Obesity
Dr. Josh Thaler
“The (newer injectable)weight loss medications do not cure (obesity); if you stop them, the weight will come back…there is no reason to believe it changed your biology in some way that’s permanent”
Dr. Josh Thaler
“Obesity, by many estimates, is at least 50%, if not more, based on inherited genes. The environment is acting on that susceptibility, You shouldn’t take the fatalistic view I’ve got these genes, and there is no hope”
Dr. Josh Thaler
“The Heavier you are, the higher your energy expenditure. Thus we can’t say that, in general, people who are overweight have a slower metabolism”
Dr. Josh Thaler
“How much weight needs to be lost to reverse the established disease or lower the risk of the one that hasn’t yet.. You don’t have to go back to your original normal weight..What the data suggests is that even 5-10% weight loss from wherever your current weight is sufficient to reverse a lot of things(associated diseases) that are associated with obesity”
Dr. Josh Thaler
Recommended Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/index.html
Obesity Canada ( formerly called, The Canadian Obesity Network). Obesitycanada.ca.
The Obesity Society www.obesity.org.
Kevin D. Hall, Ph.D. Multiple YouTube videos and publications
Michael W. Schwartz, MD University of Washington
Episode Transcript:
Coming soon!
