Obesity is a physiological condition that can be managed with the right education and treatment.In today's episode, Dr. Louis J. Aronne, a leading expert in obesity research, sheds light on the science behind weight management and obesity treatment.Dr. Aronne dives into groundbreaking weight loss medications. He also explores how lifestyle and eating habits affect long-term health and why medications combined with dietary changes can unlock transformative results.Louis J. Aronne, M.D. is a leading authority on obesity and its treatment. He’s a former president of The Obesity Society, which publishes the peer-reviewed scientific journal Obesity, of which Dr. Aronne is an associate editor. He has also authored more than 60 papers and book chapters on the topic. Learn how your body responds to food ? zoe.com/podcast for 10% off Follow ZOE on Instagram.Timecodes00:00 Introduction01:01 Quickfire questions03:51   What is obesity?05:06  What’s the difference between overweight and obesity?07:38 Why has there been such a quick rise in obesity?10:55   Why it’s not just a lack of willpower13:50 The complexity of weight regulation15:54 What is Leptin and why is it so important for weight control?19:51 The brain’s role in weight regulation20:36 Curing obesity in animal studies22:29 Why hunter-gatherers did not gain weight23:58 Natural experiments in weight gain and loss26:01 How medications can cause weight gain28:42 The impact of calorie restriction diets30:13 Reducing diabetes risk through weight loss34:10 Research into medications as a tool for weight loss38:36 How well do weight loss drugs work?41:38 The future of weight loss drugs43:51 Will you regain the weight if you stop taking weight loss drugs?48:08 Can obesity be avoided without the use of drugs?49:42 Concerns about weight loss drugsBooks by our ZOE Scientists:Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica AmatiFood For Life by Prof. Tim SpectorFibre Fuelled by Dr Will Bulsiewicz Mentioned in today's episode:Persistent metabolic adaptation 6 years after "The Biggest Loser" competition in Obesity The Finnish diabetes prevention study (DPS) in Diabetes CareThe National Diabetes Prevention Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here. Episode transcripts are available here.