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Balancing Act: Navigating Patient Goals and Health-First Approaches in Weight Care

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

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Proficiency: Intermediate knowledge/experience

Track: Obesity, Weight Management & GLP-1s

CPE: 1.5

Description

This groundbreaking lecture addresses the challenge faced by registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) when counseling patients who seek weight loss: how to remain patient-focused and honor their goals while staying true to evidence that prioritizing health over weight may provide more holistic, lasting benefits.

Led by a pioneering RDN and clinical leader who has developed innovative weight care pathways for a major network of telehealth RDNs, this presentation explores how RDNs can navigate this dynamic effectively. Drawing from experience overseeing over 100,000 MNT sessions annually, the speaker shares actionable, patient-centered strategies that balance respect for patient autonomy with a holistic approach to health. This perspective shifts the focus in clinical practice toward sustainable changes that empower patients and promote wellbeing beyond the scale.

Following the 50-minute presentation, Dominique Adair will join Claire Ayoub, director of Empire Waist, an inspiring coming-of-age film centered on a teen's journey of self-discovery and body positivity, to share insights grounded in Claire’s extensive interviews conducted across the country. Together, they will delve into how body image, media influence, and patient empowerment intersect in weight care, offering guidance on how RDNs can foster wellbeing by blending health-focused principles with empathy and sensitivity to patients' unique goals and experiences.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify strategies that honor patient autonomy while promoting health-focused approaches that support sustainable, long-term wellbeing in nutrition counseling.
  • Develop communication techniques to reconcile weight-neutral principles with patient requests for weight loss, ensuring patient-centered and evidence-based counseling in diverse care settings.
  • Integrate insights on body image, media influence, and patient empowerment into clinical practice, enhancing patient confidence and engagement in health-focused care.

Performance Indicators

  • 1.1.5 Integrates new knowledge and skills into practice.
  • 1.4.2 Confirms client’s and/or substitute decision-maker’s goals for care and understanding of nutrition findings and interventions before proceeding with services or nutrition care plans.
  • 10.6.1 Assesses client/patient nutritional needs and appropriateness of the counseling.

Speakers

  • Dominique Adair photo

    Dominique Adair

    Clinical Director , Knownwell Health

    Dominique Adair, MS, RD, CLS, is a licensed healthcare provider and digital health consultant with over 20 years of experience in nutrition counseling, education, and clinical leadership. She brings deep expertise in lifestyle medicine, chronic disease management, and weight-inclusive care, integrating evidence-based strategies with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. Dominique has guided more than 1,000 Registered Dietitians in delivering impactful, telehealth-based medical nutrition therapy, setting high standards for care quality, scalability, and clinical consistency. She has led the development of integrated care models that align clinical goals with sustainable behavior change, supporting diverse populations across a wide range of health conditions. With a strong foundation in behavior change theory and a practical, outcomes-driven mindset, Dominique is also known for her leadership in managing interdisciplinary teams to deliver holistic, coordinated care. Her ability to align nutrition, behavioral health, primary care, and digital health solutions has improved both patient experience and clinical effectiveness. A trusted media resource and sought-after speaker, Dominique excels at translating complex health topics into accessible, actionable messages. She is a leading voice in addressing bias and stigma in healthcare, advocating for more inclusive, equitable patient experiences—especially for those managing chronic illness. Dominique’s work in digital health and clinical decision support tools has advanced care delivery and patient engagement. Her leadership in the lifestyle medicine space continues to shape how healthcare systems deliver high-quality, compassionate care that reflects the whole person.
  • Claire Ayoub photo

    Claire Ayoub

    Writer / Director, Filmmaker

    Claire Ayoub is an award-winning writer, director, and performer. She is the writer/director of the award-winning feature film EMPIRE WAIST, a heartfelt comedy about teens learning to love their bodies through fashion design, as well as the Empire Waist Confidence Curriculum with P&G/Gillette Venus. The film is now available on-demand worldwide through Blue Fox Entertainment. She is also the creator of The GynoKid, her award-winning, comedic solo show about growing up as the child of gynecologists, as well as a post-show education series with reproductive health professionals. Combining comedy and health education is her happy place. https://www.claireayoub.com/

Moderator

  • Lyndel Schuster photo

    Lyndel Schuster

    Chief People Officer, Dietitians On Demand

    Lyndel is the Chief People Officer at Dietitians On Demand, where she champions the advancement of dietitians and builds meaningful career opportunities for them across the healthcare industry. As an executive on the Dietitians On Demand team, Lyndel leads with a vision centered on supporting dietitians so they can make a greater impact on health outcomes nationwide. She focuses on creating a workplace culture for consultant dietitians and the corporate team that recognizes and nurtures their essential contributions. With nearly 20 years of experience as a dietitian, she’s found the past 8 years with Dietitians On Demand to be truly rewarding. Working with a team that is dedicated to dietitians allows her to drive initiatives that place them at the forefront of care teams, advocating for their vital role in patient wellness. Through her role with Dietitians On Demand, Lyndel reflects the company’s vision by providing dietitians with opportunities to advance their practice. She’s actively engaged in the dietetics field and staffing industry forums to stay current on people operations best practices. Lyndel’s people-first approach underscores Dietitians On Demand’s commitment to empowering and valuing dietitians as essential healthcare professionals.

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