Obesity in the Black Community Weighing the Complexity above Statistics

Part I: Origins

1. Who is Black? 

Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA ; Kathi Earles, MD, MPH, DABOM

2. What is the Black Community?   

Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA; Kathi Earles, MD, MPH, DABOM; & Tiffani Bell Washington, MD, MPH, FAPA, DABOM, DABLM

3. Obesity as a Disease

Tiffani Bell Washington, MD, MPH, FAPA, DABOM, DABLM; Joynita R. Nicholson, DO, DABOM, FOMA ; Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA

Part II: Obstacles

4. Social Determinants of Health

Kathi Earles, MD, MPH, DABOM; Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA

5. Cultural Attitudes Towards Obesity

Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA; Kathi Earles, MD, DABOM; Tiffani Bell Washington MD, MPH, FAPA, DABOM, DABLM

6. Clinical Assessment of Obesity

Kathi Earles, MD, MPH, DABOM; Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie,MD, DABOM FOMA; Marci Bennafield, MPH

Part III: Opportunities

7. Fundamentals of Obesity Management Overview

Tiffani Bell Washington MD, MPH, FAPA, DABOM, DABLM; Kathi Earles, MD, DABOM, Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA

8. Nutrition & Lifestyle Interventions & Inclusive Obesity Care

Daphne Bryan, MD, DABOM; Tiffani Bell Washington MD, MPH, FAPA, DABOM, DABLM; Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA

9. Behavioral Impact and Interventions in the Treatment of Obesity

Tiffani Bell Washington MD, MPH, FAPA, DABOM, DABLM; Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA;  Sharon Dodd MD

10. Physical Activity

William A. J. Ross, III; William L. Doss, III, MD; Kathi Earles, MD, MPH, DABOM; William A.J. Ross, Jr., MD; Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA

11. Pharmacotherapy for Obesity

William Doss, MD; Tiffani Bell Washington, MD, MPH, FAPA, DABOM, DABLM, Kathi Earles, MD, MPH, DABOM

12. Bariatric Procedures

Shani Belgrave- Heath, M.D., FASMBS; Bria Neomie Woodard;  Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA

13: Pediatrics

Kathi Earles Ross, MD, MPH, DABOM;  Dannielle A. Brown, MD; Tiffani Bell Washington MD, MPH, FAPA, DABOM, DABLM

Call to Action

References

Biography

Dr. Kathi A. Earles is a highly respected speaker, writer, and educator on obesity who is passionate about dismantling the health disparities impacting minority communities. A dually board-certified pediatrician and diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine with a master of public health, Dr. Earles has a unique perspective in medicine due to her three decades of medical experience spanning academia to industry. Specifically, she brings a wealth of knowledge regarding diabetes and how focusing on the prevention and treatment of obesity can mitigate diabetes and other obesity-related comorbidities. Previously, Dr. Earles the Assistant Director of the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) Pediatrics Residency program, where she was instrumental in developing the curriculum and establishing the program from its inception. Currently, she is the Senior Obesity Medical Liaison for Novo Nordisk, Inc. (NNI), where she educates healthcare providers on the pathophysiology, comorbidities, treatment, and prevention strategies of obesity. Before her current position, she was a Senior Diabetes Medical Liaison for 11 years with NNI. In addition, Dr. Earles plays an integral role in the development, initiation, and analysis of numerous Phase 3 clinical trials, which have been invaluable in the approval process of many life-saving medications. Dr. Earles graduated from Howard University College of Medicine and subsequently received a Master's in Public Health from the University of California/Los Angeles. She has received many recognitions and awards, including "Leading African American Physician" by Black Enterprise Magazine. Her many authored publications include "A Call to Action: Addressing Obesity in the African American Community," published in the National Medical Association journal. She resides with her family in Atlanta, Georgia, and is a passionate multimedia artist and community leader.

Dr. Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, M.D., DABOM, FOMA, is a dual board-certified obesity and internal medicine physician, clinical researcher, bestselling author, and nationally recognized advocate for health equity. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and other major outlets. She is the founder of Embrace You Weight & Wellness, an initiative focused on culturally tailored obesity education and whole-person care. Dr. Gonsahn-Bollie authored Embrace You: Your Guide to Transforming Weight Loss Misconceptions Into Lifelong Wellness, named one of Healthline’s “Best Weight Loss Books of 2022” and Livestrong’s “Top 8 Weight Loss Books of 2022.” She has developed content for Black Health, BlackDoctor.org, and served as a local leader with the Black Physicians Healthcare Network and Walk With a Doc. She previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Obesity Medicine Association, helping shape the direction of obesity care. Currently, Dr. Gonsahn-Bollie is a full-time clinical researcher in obesity drug development and continues her community health equity efforts by leading a Walk With a Doc group in Montgomery County, MD, as well as speaking and writing to empower individuals through personalized, culturally tailored obesity education.

Dr. Tiffani Bell Washington is a Harvard-trained public health expert and quadruple board-certified physician in Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Obesity Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. She is the founder of The Healthy Weigh MD, a concierge mental health and weight management practice delivering culturally responsive, stigma-free care for women and children.

A nationally recognized speaker on the intersection of obesity and mental health, Dr. Bell Washington is widely known for her advocacy to dismantle weight stigma and expand access to equitable, evidence-informed care. She has been featured by both Harvard and Yale for her work advancing health equity and training clinician-entrepreneurs.She also has created content on the intersection of obesity and mental health for The Obesity Society, Obesity Medicine Association, and local outlets. 

Dr.Bell Washington is also the founder of the Bell Well Joy Initiative, a platform dedicated to spreading joy, reducing burnout, and helping professionals reclaim purpose and balance. With an Executive MBA from Yale, she empowers physicians to build joyful, mission-driven businesses rooted in integrity and well-being. Her award-winning leadership has earned numerous honors, including the National Medical Association’s “Top Physician Under 40,” the National Minority Quality Forum’s 40 Under 40 in Minority Health, and the 2025 Early Career Physician of the Year Award from the American Medical Women’s Association.