From Skinny Fat to Bariatric Surgery: What Obesity Really Looks Like With Dr. Evan Nadler

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dr. Evan Nadler challenges some of the most common misconceptions surrounding childhood and adolescent obesity—starting with the idea that it’s simply a result of poor diet or lack of willpower. Drawing on more than two decades of clinical, surgical, and research experience, he explains why obesity is a chronic disease, why BMI is an unreliable diagnostic tool, and how true risk should be assessed based on physical and mental health impact.The conversation explores the powerful role of genetics and epigenetics, including how parental health and behaviors before conception can influence a child’s metabolic outcomes. Dr. Nadler addresses uncomfortable realities within modern healthcare, from non-reimbursable obesity diagnoses to institutional resistance, economic incentives, and the growing gap between scientific knowledge and actionable treatment.From “skinny fat” and bariatric surgery outcomes to the misuse of compounded medications and politicized nutrition science, this discussion reframes obesity as a complex, multi-generational condition—one that demands earlier intervention, better systems, and evidence-based action. Dr. Nadler’s mission is simple but ambitious: prevent obesity early enough to make his role unnecessary.Evan P. Nadler MD served as Co-Director of the Children’s National Obesity Programs and Director of the Child and Adolescent Weight Loss Surgery Program at Children’s National Hospital from 2009 until 2023. He was also a tenured Associate Professor of Surgery, and Pediatrics, at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences and continues there as an Adjunct Associate Professor .Before moving to Washington DC, he was the Director of Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery at the New York University School of Medicine where he participated in US Food and Drug Administration-approved studies using laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in adolescents with obesity. His current pursuits include pediatric obesity treatment program development as a Founder of ProCare Telehealth, authoring a book on obesity, and educating the public about obesity via his YouTube channel, website, and media appearances. Dr. Nadler is an international leader in the field of child and adolescent obesity, has authored multiple publications and textbook chapters on the topic of pediatric bariatric surgery, and was one of the founding members of the Childhood Obesity Committee of the American Pediatric Surgery Association.https://www.obesityexplained.com/Are you eager to explore more about health and wellness? Discover an all natural solution to combating the GLP-1 Receptor Agonist craze. Click on the link below and explore the Feel Great System - a clinically proven approach to boosting natural GLP-1 production, suppressing appetite and improving both your metabolism and weight.https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/LiveFreeAs a Decoding Health viewer, you get wholesale pricing and a money back guarantee. Give it a try and let us know your results.https://imbiopharma.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/urban-a-kiernan-ph-d-8568b621/https://www.youtube.com/@DecodingHealthPodcastThank you to our sponsor - iMetabolic Biopharma Corporation: Together, we can be the next stage in developing a revolutionary approach to drug discovery.  We give communities the opportunity to invest in their own health as we improve how drugs are discovered to make them more effective and affordable. Visit https://imbiopharma.com/ to learn more.This show is proudly produced at PS Studios — learn more https://www.psstudios.co