Targeting Obesity Management to Improve Patient Health

In the first video of the series, PA Ledyi Ballesteros explores why obesity management should be individualized to improve overall patient health. She highlights obesity as a chronic disease that affects multiple organ systems and explains how weight reduction can meaningfully improve obesity-related comorbidities.

Through patient examples, PA Ballesteros shows how treatment goals and care strategies can vary based on each patient’s health status, complications, and personal circumstances. Clinicians will gain practical insight into aligning obesity management with broader care goals.

Key Takeaways:

Goals for obesity management should be individualized.
Consider the patient’s comorbidities and complications when discussing a proper treatment plan.
For some patients, weight reduction of 5%-10% can make a meaningful difference in their overall health, but others might require a different plan.

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Speaker

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Ledyenska Baez Ballesteros, MPAS, PA-C

References and Additional Resources:

Alexander L, Purnell JQ, Burridge K, et al. Joint TOS/OMA/OAC expert guidance statement on the pharmacological management of United States adults with overweight or obesity using the GRADE approach. Obes Pillars. 2026;18(100254):100254. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39951912/

American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Obesity. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adults: Standards of care in overweight and obesity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2026;13(Suppl 1):e005729. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41529914/

Coelho M, Oliveira T, Fernandes R. Biochemistry of adipose tissue: an endocrine organ. Arch Med Sci. 2013;9(2):191-200. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23671428/

Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. 10-year follow-up of diabetes incidence and weight loss in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study. Lancet. 2009;374(9702):1677. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3135022/

Lewis KH, Moore JB, Ard JD. Game changers: do new medications make lifestyle-based treatment of obesity obsolete? Obesity (Silver Spring). 2024;32(2):237-239. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38044481/

Wadden TA, Chao AM, Moore M, et al. The role of lifestyle modification with second-generation anti-obesity medications: Comparisons, questions, and clinical opportunities. Curr Obes Rep. 2023;12(4):453-473. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38041774/

Zhang X, Ha S, Lau HCH, Yu J. Excess body weight: Novel insights into its roles in obesity comorbidities. Semin Cancer Biol. 2023;92:16-27. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36965839/

Supported by

Ledyenska Baez Ballesteros, MPAS, PA-C

Ledyenska (Ledyi) Ballesteros is a board-certified PA of 18 years with concentrations in internal medicine and obesity medicine. She received the Obesity Management in Primary Care Certificate in 2019, followed by the Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine in 2020.

Since 2011, PA Ballesteros has practiced internal medicine at Gonzaba Medical Group in San Antonio, Texas. In 2015, she created the clinic’s obesity medicine program, which she still runs. She is also active in educating her peers in the medical community on obesity and its management through local, state and national conference presentations, social media platforms, and online webinars.

PA Ballesteros has been faculty in various organizations including GatherEd, The Obesity Society, and AAPA.

PA Ballesteros currently serves as President of PAs in Obesity Medicine and secretary and co-founder of the newly developed San Antonio Obesity Society.