Why Digestive Health Matters for Weight Health

Why Digestive Health Matters for Weight Health is organized by American Nutrition Association® (ANA) and will be held on Sep 29, 2026.

Description
Ashley Koff, RD, is a nationally recognized registered dietitian specializing in personalized nutrition and functional health. In this session, Ashley will explore how digestive health serves as the foundation for sustainable weight management, including the role of the gut in metabolism, the impact of GLP-1 medications on digestive function, and why restrictive elimination approaches are often not the best long-term solution. Participants will also gain a practical understanding of FODMAPs, how to incorporate digestive enzymes into a personalized nutrition plan, and evidence-informed strategies to optimize digestive function to support healthy weight outcomes. The session will conclude with key takeaways that clinicians can immediately apply in practice to better support patients on their weight health journey.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain how digestive function affects the regulation of key weight-health hormones and their downstream effects on metabolism, body composition, and inflammation.
2. Describe how GLP-1 medications alter digestive processes and identify strategies to support digestion alongside GLP-1 use.
3. Compare elimination-based approaches to enzyme-supported approaches (including FODMAP management) and evaluate their role in building a personalized, sustainable weight-health plan.