Losing weight and keeping it off is hard-fought battle for many people, especially around the holidays. One award-winning option is the University of Kansas Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, which is on the campus of the University of Kansas Medical Center. While part of its mission is to provide an opportunity for scientists to conduct research on weight loss and physical activity, it’s also a fee-based weight-loss clinic recently named The Pitch’s “Best Weight-Loss Clinic in Kansas City.”

In this video, Joseph Donnelly, director of the center and professor of internal medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, discusses how research contributes to the strategies for weight loss and maintenance. Donnelly has spent four decades in the field of exercise science, and his lab currently has eight grants from the National Institutes of Health.

Kimberly Johnson, program manager for the center, shares how the center works and provides key insights into how clients are supported throughout their weight loss. She also talks about the importance of medical support as clinic participants have the option to meet with Dr. Sarah Stolte, assistant professor of internal medicine. This is an important element that sets the clinic apart.

“Weight issues are, in fact, the disease of the century and are driving most of the major chronic diseases,” Donnelly said, noting that this important medical issue might be overlooked.