From Food Noise to Freedom: Fixing the Biology of Obesity | Dr Deanna Gibson

Presented by Dr. Deanna Gibson, Professor at UBC Okanagan and an internationally recognized leader in microbiome research.

Obesity is often framed as a problem of willpower: eat less, move more, and make better choices. However, growing scientific evidence shows that obesity is a complex biological condition regulated by interactions between the brain, hormones, metabolism, and the gut microbiome. These systems control hunger, satiety, energy balance, and food reward in ways that cannot be fully overridden by behaviour alone.

This talk explores how traditional approaches to weight loss, focused primarily on lifestyle and behaviour, often fail to produce meaningful or sustained results. It highlights the biological mechanisms that defend body weight, including hormonal resistance, altered gut–brain signaling, and microbiome-driven metabolic changes. Recent advances in obesity treatment, particularly therapies targeting incretin hormones such as GLP-1 and GIP, are reshaping the field. These treatments act on multiple organs, including the brain, gut, and pancreas, to restore satiety signals, reduce persistent food-related thoughts, and improve metabolic regulation. As a result, they enable a more natural and sustainable relationship with food, without the need for constant monitoring or restriction.

This presentation reframes obesity as a treatable, biologically driven condition rather than a personal failing. It emphasizes the importance of aligning treatment with underlying physiology and highlights how emerging therapies are transforming both clinical care and quality of life.

What to Bring:

• Journal and pen
• Water bottle

About the Venue:

The Lookout
A modern spot on Blackcomb Mountain, surrounded by forest and alpine views. Large windows open on clear days, blending indoor comfort with fresh mountain air. A rooftop deck and soft lighting create a quiet, reflective setting.
Access requires a 500 m walk with moderate uphill from Base 2.