The Role of the RDN in Optimizing the Short- and Long-term Use of Anti-Obesity Medications

Date: May 15
Time: noon-1:30 p.m. (Central time)

The newer second-generation obesity medications are yielding weight losses beyond what has typically been achieved with lifestyle interventions alone, including assisting in the management or prevention of obesity-related diseases. These benefits are making the use of these medications extremely popular. For a variety of reasons, from rapid weight loss, medication side effects, loss of excess lean body mass, titration challenges, micronutrient deficiencies and more, there is a critical need for the integration of the RDN to optimize short- and long-term clinical outcomes with individuals taking a newer obesity medication. However, the role of the RDN and the nature of traditional lifestyle intervention is changing.

In the absence, at this early stage, of well researched, evidence-based clinical recommendations in this area, RDNs delivering obesity and diabetes care can share their clinical experience and expertise and help build consensus around the topics detailed above. In addition, RDNs working in this area can offer RDN colleagues, practical information on patient selection, nutrition assessment and nutrition-focused physical exam, shared decision making, dosing and titration best practices, lifestyle components, and helping patients set realistic expectations.

Join obesity management expert Beth Czerwony, MS, RD, CSOWM, LD, and Mary Lou Perry, MS, RDN, CDCES, a diabetes and obesity expert, to discuss these topics and more on the second of this three-part webinar series. Beyond the clinical and behavioral aspects of the use of these medications are the challenges of access to medications, comprehensive obesity care and stigma. Jeanne Blankenship, MS RDN, VP, Policy Initiatives and Advocacy at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics will address these topics and provide an update on the Academy's efforts in Washington, D.C.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the components of lifestyle assessment (nutrition, physical, and behavioral) that inform treatment decisions including presentation of a pertinent case.
• Describe the use of shared decision making in counseling.
• Recognize potential side effects of these medications and offer tactics to mitigate them.
• Present the best practices in choosing a medication, dosing, and titration initially and over the long term.
• Discuss current best practices to minimize loss of lean body mass, prevent micronutrient deficiencies, maintain optimal nutrition status.
• Identify the role of the RDN as a supportive counselor in short and long-term obesity care.

This webinar does not provide CPE credit. The recording will be posted to eatrightPRO following the event.

Speakers

Mary Lou Perry, MS, RDN, CDCES

Mary Lou Perry has spent the last 40 years educating, counseling, and walking alongside persons with diabetes and obesity. She currently works in a collaborative diabetes and cardiovascular practice at University of Virginia Health where she is also involved in precepting dietetic interns, medical students and residents.

Mary Lou is a member of the Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group and Diabetes Dietetic Practice Group in which she has held leadership positions. She recently served for two years on the Professional Practice Committee of the American Diabetes Association contributing to ADA's 2023 and 2024 Standards of Medical Care for Diabetes. She has been an invited speaker for regional and local conferences. She has a special interest in the spirit of motivational interviewing in person-centered care. Her philosophy of patient care is captured in William Miller and Raymond Daw's Motivational Interviewing Prayer Found in Helping People Change (2013), 3rd ed. She especially remembers this sentence when she is working with patients: "Let me honor and respect the choosing of his/her own path and bless them to walk it freely."

Beth Czerwony, MS, RD, CSOWM, LD

Beth Czerwony is a Clinical Registered Dietitian with the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Human Nutrition. She's been at this center since 2007. Czerwony earned her associate degree in applied business while concurrently earning her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Akron in 1999. She earned her Master of Science in Nutrition degree from Case Western Reserve University while during her dietetic internship at Louis Stokes Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio in 2001.

In 2019, Beth earned her Certification in Obesity and Weight Management and has served as a preceptor for dietetic interns. She is member of the Academy's Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group, American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and The Obesity Society. Outside of her clinic work she has provided multiple local and national presentations and media interviews. She has contributed to the USDA 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines and a book chapter in The Bariatric Handbook on long-term weight maintenance and dietary and behavioral management of weight recurrence.

Jeanne Blankenship, MS, RDN

Jeanne Blankenship oversees the Academy's public policy strategy — leading staff and volunteers in advocacy, promoting public health initiatives, and collaborating with legislators and policy leaders at every level of government to promote health and reduce the burden of chronic disease through nutrition services and interventions. Key areas include nutrition policy and legislation, professional licensure, payment and reimbursement, Academy alliances and the Academy's political action committee (ANDPAC).

Moderators

Melissa M. Page, MS, RDN, CSOWM, LDN
Chair
Weight Management DPG

Laura Russell, MA, RDN, LD, CDCES
Chair
Diabetes DPG