Company\Resources\Ep. 25 | Optimizing the Bariatric Patient Experience with Body Comp Metrics

Ep. 25 | Optimizing the Bariatric Patient Experience with Body Comp Metrics

in-the-know-with-nina

podcast

Episode Summary

In this energizing episode of In the Know with Nina, Dr. Nina Crowley speaks with Dr. Kate Fuss, a family nurse practitioner and founder of the Obesity Medicine Association’s (OMA) Nurse Practitioner and Physician Associate (NP/PA) committee. Kate shares her journey from primary care to obesity medicine and explains why more clinicians need to be confident and competent in treating obesity as a chronic, complex condition.

Kate emphasizes the importance of early access to education, supportive communities, and mentorship. Through her work with the OMA, she has helped hundreds of NP/PAs feel equipped to step into this specialty and deliver evidence-based care. Together, she and Nina unpack the barriers clinicians face—time, stigma, and knowledge gaps—and explore how data, community, and certification can build a better standard of care for people living with obesity.

Key Takeaways

Obesity is a chronic disease, and every primary care provider should have tools to manage it.
Confidence comes with competency—education, training, and support are key.
The OMA NP/PA committee provides a vital community for clinicians new to obesity care.
Certification in obesity medicine helps validate your knowledge and opens clinical doors.
Tools like body composition analysis can help guide treatment beyond the scale.
Nurse practitioners and PAs are well-positioned to lead in the growing field of obesity medicine.

About Kate Fuss, DNP, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, FOMA

Dr. Kate Fuss is a board-certified family nurse practitioner, certified in advanced diabetes management, and a Fellow of the Obesity Medicine Association. She is the founder and chair of the OMA’s NP/PA committee and works to advance clinical competency and confidence in obesity care among APPs (advanced practice providers). Kate is also the founder of The Obesity NP, an online community focused on empowering NPs and PAs to treat obesity effectively and compassionately.