Obesity Matters - Parlons Obésité

Could AI help discover the next generation of obesity treatments? Researchers at Stanford Medicine have identified a naturally occurring peptide called BRP using artificial intelligence. In animal studies, BRP reduced appetite and body fat similarly to GLP-1 medications, but without some of the commonly reported side effects, including nausea, constipation, and significant muscle loss. What's particularly exciting is how it was discovered. Rather than relying on traditional methods alone, researchers used AI to analyze thousands of potential peptides, dramatically accelerating the search for new therapeutic targets. It's important to remember that these findings are preclinical. BRP has not yet been tested in humans, and we won't know whether it is safe or effective until clinical trials are completed. Still, this research offers a glimpse into the future of obesity care, where artificial intelligence, biology, and precision medicine come together to develop more targeted treatments with the potential for fewer side effects. 💬 What do you think? Could AI fundamentally change the way we discover new treatments for obesity—or should we remain cautiously optimistic until the human evidence is in? Disclaimer: The original article featured a thin body, which we felt reinforced a stereotypical portrayal of obesity research. At Obesity Matters, we're committed to using more inclusive, weight-neutral imagery, so we've replaced it with an AI-generated scientific illustration that better reflects our values.

Some of the most important conversations we'll ever have are also the ones we're most likely to avoid. In this Obesity Matters Wellness Workshop, Sandra Elia explores the power of crucial conversations, the conversations that can transform our relationships, our health, and our lives. Whether it's speaking with a healthcare provider, opening up to a loved one, setting boundaries, or navigating weight bias, these conversations aren't easy. Fear of conflict, judgment, or rejection often keeps us silent. Drawing on the principles of Crucial Conversations, Sandra shares practical strategies for creating a "pool of shared meaning," where people feel heard, understood, and respected. When we communicate with curiosity and empathy, we build trust, make better decisions, and create lasting change. 💙 Be part of the conversation. Join our OM Wellness Workshops and discover how better conversations can lead to better outcomes, for yourself, your relationships, and your health. 🔗 Register for free: https://lnkd.in/giARwPKN

Il est 3 h du matin. Ton corps dort. Ton cerveau, lui, anime une réunion. À l'ordre du jour : ce courriel que t'as peut-être mal formulé, ta liste d'épicerie, et ce moment gênant de 2012. Blague à part, derrière chaque nuit blanche, il y a de la vraie biologie. Le sommeil et le stress sont les perturbateurs souvent oubliés du métabolisme : ils jouent sur nos hormones, notre appétit et notre énergie et leurs impacts sont souvent sous-estimés. Rejoignez-nous le 29 juillet en compagnie du Dr Alexandro Zarruk spécialiste en médecine interne et en médecine de l'obésité pour en apprendre plus sur les liens entre le sommeil, le stress, les hormones et le poids. Un rendez-vous pour mieux saisir ce qui se passe réellement dans le corps, dans un espace chaleureux et sans jugement où chacun·e est invité·e à échanger sur son vécu et à repartir avec des pistes concrètes. 📅Mercredi 29 juillet, 19 h (HE) 🌐En ligne, sur Zoom, gratuit 🔗 Inscription : https://ow.ly/JjYw50ZsXb8 #ParlonsObésité #ObesityMatters #Sommeil #Stress #Poids

We're incredibly proud to see two members of the Obesity Matters community featured in this inspiring story, now reaching readers across Canada through Healthing, the National Post, Vancouver Sun, The Province, and the Postmedia network. Brenda Rogers, BBA courageously shares her lived experience of navigating obesity, the burden of self-blame, the challenges of accessing care, and the hope that comes from receiving evidence-based treatment and compassionate support. Her willingness to speak openly is helping put a human face to a disease that has been misunderstood for far too long. The article also features Gina Livy, who reinforces an essential message: while medications can be transformative, lasting success requires a comprehensive approach that includes nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, education, and sustainable behaviour change. Together, Brenda and Gina remind us that the future of obesity care lies in combining lived experience, science, and compassionate, person-centred support. A special thank you to Karen Hawthorne for telling this story with such empathy and for bringing a deeply human perspective to the conversation. By centring lived experience alongside science, you've helped move the dialogue beyond headlines and toward greater understanding. Thank you, Brenda and Gina, for continuing to educate, inspire, and help change the conversation around obesity. We are so proud to have you as part of the Obesity Matters community. 💙 Full article in the comment below.

At Obesity Matters, we believe health isn't about pushing harder. It's about building confidence through small, sustainable changes that fit real life. During one of our Wellness Workshops, Kathryn Porter Starr, PhD, RD shared two simple exercises that almost anyone can incorporate into their daily routine to improve strength, balance, and mobility: 🦷 Balance on one leg while brushing your teeth (holding the counter for support if needed). 🪑 Add chair stands or seated marching to strengthen your legs and engage your core. These aren't complicated workouts. They're practical habits that help preserve muscle, improve function, and build confidence one small step at a time. That's the heart of our Wellness Workshops: translating the science into realistic strategies that people can actually sustain. Because lasting change isn't about perfection. It's about progress, one habit at a time. #ObesityMatters #WellnessWorkshops #HealthyAging #StrengthMatters #MoveWithConfidence #PersonCentredCare #SmallStepsBigImpact

Medications can be life-changing for many people living with obesity, but they are only one part of comprehensive care. As Fatima Cody Stanford reminds us, preserving muscle, prioritizing protein, ensuring adequate nutrition, and incorporating resistance training are essential to achieving the best long-term health outcomes. At Obesity Matters, we believe obesity treatment is most effective when it combines evidence-based medication with nutrition, physical activity, behavioural support, and ongoing follow-up. Thank you, Dr. Stanford, for continuing to advance this important conversation.

Could adolescence be a critical window to change the trajectory of obesity? New research from Duke University School of Medicine suggests the answer may be yes. Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the study found that teenagers retain a level of metabolic flexibility that is largely lost in adulthood. While early signs of obesity-related metabolic changes are present, adolescents may still have the ability to adapt, creating an important opportunity to intervene before long-term health complications become established. The findings reinforce something we've long advocated at Obesity Matters: early, evidence-based intervention matters. Obesity is a chronic disease, and delaying care can allow metabolic changes to become more deeply embedded over time. Equally exciting is the potential for more personalized treatment. As we continue to learn more about the role of the microbiome and metabolism, we move closer to tailoring care to each individual rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. This research is another reminder that treating obesity early isn't just about preventing future disease. It's about giving young people the best opportunity to improve their health and quality of life. #Obesity #ChildhoodObesity #AdolescentHealth #MetabolicHealth #PrecisionMedicine #Microbiome #EvidenceBasedMedicine Image note: In keeping with our commitment to reducing weight bias, we've replaced the original scale image with a person-first image from the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC).

One of the biggest misconceptions about weight is that it's simply a matter of eating less and moving more. In this wellness workshop, Megha Poddar, MD explains why the science tells a very different story. Weight is a complex biological variable influenced by genetics, age, hormones, and many other factors beyond willpower. That's why obesity deserves the same evidence-based approach as any other chronic disease. Dr. Poddar also shares a powerful reminder: while understanding the science can reduce self-blame, healing takes time. Practicing self-kindness and gently reframing the stories we tell ourselves can be an important part of the journey. Knowledge changes perspectives. Compassion changes lives. #Obesity #ObesityCare #WeightBias #WeightStigma #EvidenceBasedMedicine #SelfCompassion #ChronicDisease #HealthEducation

"How come I'm not showing up for myself?" 💭 That was the moment for Brenda. She watched the women in her community show up every single morning, in the group, in the workshops and something clicked. They didn't even really know her yet, and there they were, showing up. If they could do it for themselves, so could she. Brenda, one of our community members in Vancouver, will tell you the honest part too: it takes effort, it's hard, and she needed support to keep going. It started at an appointment she calls one of the hardest moments of her life. From there, she says, it only got better. For a long time, she believed her body was just "supposed to be this way." Until she started giving it what it actually needs: real nutrition, consistency, and support that treats obesity as the chronic condition it is. "I'm eating more food than I've ever eaten before," she says. And her body responded. Her biggest lesson? None of it works alone. Treatment, a plan, and community, it all has to work together. "There's nothing special about me," Brenda says. "I just showed up." So can you. And you never have to do it alone. 💙 If her story sounds like yours or one you have heard before, come show up with us. Our OM Wellness Workshops are free 👇 https://ow.ly/eZch50Zqf84 #ObesityMatters #Community #LivedExperience #PatientVoice #OMWellnessWorkshop #SelfCompassion #CommunityCare

Proud to see our Chair, Sandra Elia, contributing the patient perspective alongside world leaders in obesity at the #OUTSTEP Symposium during #ICO2026. Real-world evidence is strongest when it reflects the outcomes that matter most to people living with obesity. Thank you to everyone who continues to champion meaningful patient partnership in research and care. 👇 Priti shares her reflections below.