Company\Resources\Ep. 39 | Exploring the Gender Gap in Obesity Treatment

Ep. 39 | Exploring the Gender Gap in Obesity Treatment

in-the-know-with-nina

Episode Summary

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Nina Crowley is joined by Dr. Monu Khanna, a dual board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine at the VA St. Louis Health Care System. Together, they explore how gender differences—especially in physiology, research, and care access—shape the experience of women living with obesity. Dr. Khanna shares how hormonal changes like menopause influence body composition and why healthcare must move beyond outdated, male-centered models of diagnosis and treatment. The episode also previews Dr. Khanna’s upcoming presentation at the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Summit on closing the gender gap in obesity care.

Key Takeaways

The gender gap in medical research has led to a lack of understanding and under-treatment of women with chronic diseases like obesity and heart disease.
Women's hormonal shifts (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause) increase risk for insulin resistance and fat accumulation, requiring tailored obesity interventions.
Symptoms in women are often dismissed or misdiagnosed because they don’t match textbook (male-based) clinical presentations.
Body composition analysis is vital in evaluating fat distribution and muscle mass—especially important as women lose estrogen’s protective effects with age.
Providers must adopt a person-centered, individualized care approach rooted in listening, empathy, and curiosity.
Aging women deserve proactive and compassionate care—especially during menopause, which affects nearly 40% of a woman’s lifespan.
Broad-brush strategies don’t work. Understanding context, stressors, and biology is key to sustainable outcomes.

About the Guest: Dr. Monu Khanna

Dr. Monu Khanna is a board-certified Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine physician with the Veterans Health Administration in St. Louis, Missouri. With deep clinical experience and a passion for equity in healthcare, Dr. Khanna is dedicated to addressing the gender disparities that exist in medical research, chronic disease diagnosis, and treatment delivery.

Her work focuses on person-centered care for women—especially veterans—navigating the complex interplay of hormones, aging, stress, and social determinants of health. Dr. Khanna is a 2024 Fellow of the Obesity Medicine Association and a featured speaker at their Fall Summit.