Obesity in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation: From Recognition to Action

Monday, May 18, 2026

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM PT

Location: 301

Ideal Audience:Physicians, Researchers, Residents/Fellows, Medical Students

Moderator(s)

Matthew N. Bartels,MD,MPH, MD, MPH (he/him/his)

Professor in Rehabilitation Medicine
Chair of Rehabilitation Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore, USA

Course Director(s)

Marta Supervia, MD PhD (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor
Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón

Faculty(s)

PA

Professor Catarina Aguiar-Branco, M.D., MD

Professor in Rehabilitation Medicine
Director, PRM Service, Centro Hospitalar de Entre o Douro e Vouga (CHEDV)

Speaker(s)

Areerat Suputtitada, MD (she/her/hers)

Professor
Chulalongkorn University
Jonathan H. Whiteson, MD (he/him/his)

Chair, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
NYU Langone Health Rusk Rehabilitation

Brief Session Description : Obesity is a major global health challenge and a key determinant of disability and chronic disease. Rehabilitation professionals play a crucial role not only in addressing functional limitations related to obesity, but also in promoting long-term behavior change, exercise adherence, and metabolic health. This session will explore the importance of obesity in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, strategies for assessment, and evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes. Attention will be paid to incorporating lifestyle changes into a rehabilitation program using the cardiac rehabilitation paradigm. Also addressed will be the use of new medications (GLP-1) as part of a rehabilitation approach to obesity and disability.

Session Objectives:

1) Recognize the impact of obesity on functional capacity and rehabilitation outcomes.

2) Understand key methods for assessing body composition and physical function in clinical practice in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

3) Identify effective exercise, nutritional, and behavioral interventions applicable in rehabilitation programs.

4) Understand the adaptations and the role of medical c management of obesity for cardiopulmonary patients

5) Role of weight management in Cardio[poumonary rehabilitation to allow for advanced treatments such as transplantation and assist devices.
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