Dr. Jeremy McConnell brings over 20 years of frontline experience in Family Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Sleep Medicine to FusionCare’s advisory team. As the founder of Florida Sleep Specialists and Discover Health Obesity Medicine, he’s been a pioneer in integrating sleep and obesity care long before it became standard practice.

Dr. McConnell is nationally recognized for his leadership in patient-centered care and was named the 2019 Obesity Medicine Association Clinician of the Year. He also serves on advisory boards and speaker’s bureaus for major pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, staying at the cutting edge of medical innovation.

Dr. McConnell’s passion for this work is deeply personal: having lived with obesity since childhood, he’s committed to destigmatizing the disease and advocating for broader access to effective treatment. At FusionCare, he’s helping design care journeys that account for the critical intersection of sleep disorders (such as OSA) and obesity, ensuring that patients receive holistic, integrated support every step of the way.

The average primary care physician manages a panel of over 2,000 patients, and many are experiencing burnout at record levels. The U.S. faces a worsening shortage of primary care providers, with more than 83 million people living in areas with primary care access shortfalls. Expecting already overloaded PCPs to add intensive obesity care, which requires education, behavior change support, medication management, and longitudinal follow-up, is unrealistic without fundamentally changing the delivery model.

Obesity care is not a one-person job. It is multidisciplinary by nature: physicians, dietitians, health coaches, behavioral therapists, pharmacists, and care coordinators all have critical roles to play. But in today’s model, such comprehensive care only happens within tightly-knit systems , integrated health systems, brick-and-mortar clinics, or closed telehealth platforms, where the entire care team is under one roof or one app. Outside of these, the most common approach is still the “referral roulette,” where patients are bounced from one siloed specialist to another, often with long wait times and fragmented care.

1. Sign the Pledge to Commit to Care

Make a personal commitment to support better obesity care by signing the pledge at obesitycareweek.org. By pledging, you’re joining a global effort to:

• Raise awareness about the challenges of obesity as a chronic disease.
• Advocate for improved policies that expand access to effective, evidence-based care.
• Treat everyone with respect and compassion, free from stigma or bias.

• Encourage meaningful conversations about the importance of health and Well-being.

2. Take Action in the Action Center

This year, OCW is providing the opportunity for people to encourage the new administration to commit to care by expanding comprehensive obesity coverage. Visit the Action Center to:

• Send messages to your state and federal representatives.
• Discover other ways to push for better obesity care policies in your area.

3. Share and Learn

• Explore educational resources, toolkits, and shareable materials on the OCW website.
• Use these to spark conversations about the importance of accessible, affordable, and
• compassionate obesity care and help raise awareness in your community.

FusionCare.AI’s revolutionary concept, “Obesity Care in a Box,” is designed to address the challenges of obesity care with a unified digital platform. This innovative solution integrates artificial intelligence (AI), personalized care pathways, and a streamlined Management Services Organization (MSO) model to empower health systems, life sciences companies, and health plans.

According to Dr. Pankaj Rajvanshi, Co-Founder of FusionCare.AI:

“Our ‘Obesity Care in a Box’ digital platform and MSO combine care teams, Gen-AI, and simplified contracts to deliver sustainable obesity care for health systems, life sciences, and health plans.”

A balanced diet is essential for effective weight loss. It ensures you receive all the nutrients your body needs to function optimally without consuming excess calories that lead to weight gain. The critical elements of a balanced diet include:

Proteins: Lean meats, fish, eggs, and plant-based sources like beans and legumes help build and repair tissues while keeping you satiated.

Carbohydrates: Opt for whole grains like oats, quinoa, and brown rice, which provide energy and fiber, aiding digestion and prolonging satiety.

Fats: Healthy fats found in avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil are crucial for brain health and can keep you full longer.

Vitamins and Minerals: A colorful variety of fruits and vegetables ensures an adequate intake of vital nutrients for metabolism and overall health.

Obesity is a complex, chronic disease characterized by excessive body fat. It is typically measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI), which states that those with a BMI of 30 or higher are classified as obese. Understanding the different classifications of obesity, from mild to severe, is crucial for tailoring treatment plans.

Obesity is multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Poor diet, lack of physical activity, genetics, and even certain medications can contribute to weight gain. Recognizing these risk factors helps in developing comprehensive care plans

Historically, obesity was primarily viewed through the lens of caloric balance—weight gain is a simple equation of consuming more calories than one burn. However, contemporary research reveals a much more complex picture. Genetics, metabolism, hormones, and even gut microbiota are crucial in determining an individual’s propensity to gain or lose weight.