Dual Challenges, Shared Solutions: Managing Obesity and Mental Health

February 4, 2026

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7:00 - 8:15pm ET

Objectives
  1. Describe the bidirectional relationship between obesity and common mental health conditions (including depression, anxiety, and binge-eating disorder).
  2. Explain the neurobiology of cravings and “food noise,” including reward pathways and appetite regulation.
  3. Apply evidence-based, integrated management strategies that address both weight and mental health outcomes, including pharmacologic and behavioral approaches.

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PRÉSENTATIONS (30 minutes chacun)

7:00 pm - 7:05 pm
Welcome and Opening Remarks

Speaker 

Dr. Radu Pescarus, MD, FRCSC, D-ABOM

President, Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons Chirurgie bariatrique et minimalement invasive CIUSSS Du-Nord-De-L'île-De-Montréal Professeur agrégé, Université de Montréal

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bio picDr. Radu Pescarus, MD, FRCSC, D-ABOM

After completing a Bachelor of Science in Biology at McGill University, Dr. Radu Pescarus continued his medical studies at the University of Montreal. He pursued his general surgery training in the hospitals of the University of Montreal, followed by a one-year fellowship in Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at McMaster University. Subsequently, he underwent a second clinical fellowship in Portland, USA to further his knowledge of esophago-gastric surgery as well as advanced gastrointestinal therapeutic endoscopy. Upon his return to Quebec, he joined the surgery department of the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal and is currently an Associate Professor at Université de Montréal. His clinical practice specializes in minimally invasive bariatric surgery, foregut surgery, as well as gastrointestinal therapeutic endoscopy, including third space endoscopic procedures. 

Dr. Pescarus is currently the President of CABPS and is equally involved with the clinical and research training of international bariatric surgery fellows, as well as senior residents during their minimally-invasive surgery rotation every year. His academic interests include clinical outcomes research in revisional bariatric surgery and the endoscopic treatment of upper gastrointestinal surgical complications. 

 
7:05 pm - 7:45 pm
Dual Challenges, Shared Solutions: Managing Obesity and Mental Health

Speaker

Dr. Michael A. Tsoukas, MD, FRCPC

Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology Co-Director - Metabolic Centre of Excellence and Weight Optimization Clinic McGill University Health Centre

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bio picDr. Michael A. Tsoukas, MD, FRCPC

Bio Coming

 

 
7:45 pm - 8:05 pm
Question and Answer Period

Moderator

Dr. Stephen A. Glazer, MD, FRCPC, FCCP, FAASM

Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine President of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons Medical Director Bariatric Surgical Program, Humber River Regional Hospital Assistant Professor-Department of Medicine, Queen's University

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bio picDr. Stephen A. Glazer, MD, FRCPC, FCCP, FAASM

Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine
President of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons
Medical Director Bariatric Surgical Program, Humber River Regional Hospital
Assistant Professor-Department of Medicine, Queen's University

Dr. Stephen Glazer holds certification in Internal Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine from the University of Toronto in Ontario. He is also certified as a specialist in Sleep Medicine through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. He has a strong interest in perioperative risk assessment. 

Dr. Glazer is both a provincial and a national leader in Bariatric Medicine. In 2010, Dr. Glazer became the Medical Director for both the Bariatric Surgical and Medical Program at Humber River Hospital, a dedicated center of excellence for the management of Obesity in Ontario. He is an active board member of the Ontario Bariatric Network, sitting on numerous subcommittees, including being the Vice-Chair of the OBN Medical Program Task Force. He is involved in establishing the standards of care for patients in Ontario participating in both surgical and medical approaches for weight loss. In 2012, he was among one of the first Canadian physicians who successfully completed the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) Certification examination and is a diplomat of the ABOM. 

In 2019, Dr. Glazer became the President of the  Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons (CABPS), an national organization representing  Canadian specialists interested in the treatment of obesity for the purposes of  maintenance and improvement for the standards of Bariatric care in Canada, supporting both primary and continuing educational programs, knowledge, research and developing policies and new ideas in the areas of clinical care, education, and research in Bariatric Medicine and Surgery. 

Dr. Glazer participates in multiple clinical research projects and publications. He is the author of the Pre-Operative Management for Bariatric Surgery chapter for the 2020 Canadian Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. His greatest enjoyment is teaching and interreacting with other health care providers via lecturing at conferences or other educational venues. His enthusiasm and passion for the field of Obesity Medicine and the care of patients living with obesity is blatantly obvious and he hopes infectious to others. 

 
8:05 pm - 8:15 pm
Closing Remarks
Dr. Radu Pescarus, MD, FRCSC, D-ABOM

starburstContinuing Medical Education

This event is a Section 1 Self-Learning activity as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.