Obesity and CVD: Launching the Heart Foundation's new clinical consensus statement

The Heart Foundation recently launched an Australian-first clinical consensus statement on obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

In Australia, about two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, placing them at increased risk of CVD including coronary heart disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias. 

Although obesity is a leading, treatable cause of CVD and multimorbidity, it is often overlooked and undertreated in routine care. The new clinical consensus statement outlines the latest evidence, recommendations, and practical strategies for assessing and managing people living with overweight or obesity and established, or at high risk of, CVD.  

The program features one hour of live presentations and a 30-minute Q&A with opportunity to pre-submit questions. Tune in for practical, evidence-based guidance to support primary care professionals to assess and manage obesity in the context of CVD.  

Speakers:

Prof. Garry Jennings - Chief Medical Advisor, Heart Foundation

• Professor Garry Jennings is Chief Medical Advisor of the Heart Foundation as well as Senior Director at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Research Institute where he was Director and CEO from 2001–15. He was Executive Director of Sydney Health Partners 2017-2020. A cardiologist, over 600 of his publications have been cited more than 30,000 times on subjects ranging from prevention, pathophysiology, and treatment of cardiovascular disease to First Nations health and health policy. 

Prof. Clare Collins - Laureate Professor, Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health, Medicine & Wellbeing, University of Newcastle

• Clare Collins AO is Laureate Professor, Nutrition & Dietetics, University of Newcastle, and Director, Nutrition & Metabolic Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute. She was appointed Officer, Order of Australia in 2023 for distinguished service to health research in nutrition and dietetics, scientific organisations and science communication. She is the Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, Nutrition Society of Australia and Dietitians Australia 

Prof. Elif Ekinci - Academic Endocrinologist; Head of Diabetes, Austin Health; Head of Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne

• Professor Elif Ekinci is Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Melbourne and Director of The Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations. She is an internationally recognised clinician scientist in endocrinology, focused on diabetes, diabetes complications, obesity, metabolic disease and translating evidence into practice through national collaborations that improve access, outcomes and patient experience.  

Dr. Mark Mellor - Specialist GP and Obesity Doctor, Perth Weight Clinic

• Mark is a Specialist General Practitioner based in Perth, Western Australia, with a special interest in obesity, weight management, and cardiometabolic health. He is the clinical lead at Cardiometabolic Services and Perth Weight Clinic, delivering evidence-based, compassionate care focused on improving long-term health for people living with obesity. Dr Mellor holds RACGP Recognition of Extended Skills in Obesity Management and has completed postgraduate training in obesity and weight management.  

Learning outcomes:

Join our Chair, Professor Garry Jennings, and members of the clinical consensus expert taskforce to explore the new statement, including:

• Understanding overweight and obesity as chronic, modifiable drivers of CVD, including their impact on risk, multimorbidity and clinical outcomes. 
• Practical approaches to assessing overweight and obesity in primary‑care, including BMI and related measures, and implications for risk assessment. 
• Evidence-based behaviour modification strategies, including nutrition and physical activity, to support weight management and improve cardiovascular outcomes.  
• The role of pharmacotherapy and surgical interventions, including pharmacotherapy with demonstrated cardiovascular benefit, indications for metabolic bariatric surgery, and referral and shared-care considerations.  
• Lifelong, integrated and person-centred care to manage overweight/obesity and optimise cardiovascular health, including for priority populations.