Dan Bessesen, MD
Professor, Medicine-Endocrinology/Metabolism/Diabetes

Professional Titles

• Chief of Endocrinology, Denver Health

Recognition & Awards

• Top Doctor in Denver, 5280 Magazine (2012)
  Voted a 5280 best doctor by my peers in response to the question, "Which physician would you trust to treat you and your family?"
• Physician Nutrition Specialist, American Society for Nutrition (2011)
  
• 5280 Magazine listing as one of the “Best Doctors in Denver”, 5280 magazine (2010)
  
• 5280 Magazine listing as one of the “Best Doctors in Denver”, 5280 magazine (2009)
  
• Medical Alumni Association's Distinguished Achievement Award , University of Colorado School of Medicine (2009)
  
• 5280 Magazine listing as one of the “Best Doctors in Denver”, 5280 magazine (2008)
  
• The Roland L. Weinsier Award for Excellence in Medical/Dental Nutrition Education , American Society for Nutrition (2008)
  
• 5280 Magazine listing as one of the “Best Doctors in Denver”, 5280 magazine (2007)
  

Teaching

Publications

• Bourdier P, Simon C, Bessesen DH, Blanc S, Bergouignan A. The role of physical activity in the regulation of body weight: The overlooked contribution of light physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Obes Rev. 2023 Feb;24(2):e13528. PubMed PMID: 36394185
• Hill EB, Siebert JC, Yazza DN, Ostendorf DM, Bing K, Wayland L, Scorsone JJ, Bessesen DH, MacLean PS, Melanson EL, Catenacci VA, Borengasser SJ. Proteomics, dietary intake, and changes in cardiometabolic health within a behavioral weight-loss intervention: A pilot study. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2022 Nov;30(11):2134-2145. PubMed PMID: 36321274
• Ostendorf DM, Caldwell AE, Zaman A, Pan Z, Bing K, Wayland LT, Creasy SA, Bessesen DH, MacLean P, Melanson EL, Catenacci VA. Comparison of weight loss induced by daily caloric restriction versus intermittent fasting (DRIFT) in individuals with obesity: study protocol for a 52-week randomized clinical trial. Trials. 2022 Aug 29;23(1):718. PubMed PMID: 36038881
• Creasy SA, Ostendorf DM, Blankenship JM, Grau L, Arbet J, Bessesen DH, Melanson EL, Catenacci VA. Effect of sleep on weight loss and adherence to diet and physical activity recommendations during an 18-month behavioral weight loss intervention. Int J Obes (Lond). 2022 Aug;46(8):1510-1517. PubMed PMID: 35577898
• De Jong NP, Rudolph MC, Jackman MR, Sharp RR, Jones K, Houck J, Pan Z, Reusch JEB, MacLean PS, Bessesen DH, Bergouignan A. Short-Term Adaptations in Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Oxidative Capacity and Metabolic Pathways to Breaking up Sedentary Behaviors in Overweight or Obese Adults. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 20;14(3). PubMed PMID: 35276813
• Creasy SA, Wayland L, Panter SL, Purcell SA, Rosenberg R, Willis EA, Shiferaw B, Grau L, Breit MJ, Bessesen DH, Melanson EL, Catenacci VA. Effect of Morning and Evening Exercise on Energy Balance: A Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2022 Feb 15;14(4). PubMed PMID: 35215466
• Le Roux E, De Jong NP, Blanc S, Simon C, Bessesen DH, Bergouignan A. Physiology of physical inactivity, sedentary behaviours and non-exercise activity: insights from the space bedrest model. J Physiol. 2022 Mar;600(5):1037-1051. PubMed PMID: 33501660
• Roux EL, De Jong N, Blanc S, Simon C, Bessesen DH, Bergouignan A. Physiology of physical inactivity, sedentary behaviors and non-exercise activity: Insights from space bedrest model. J Physiol. 2021 Jan 27. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33501660
• Ostendorf DM, Blankenship JM, Grau L, Arbet J, Mitchell NS, Creasy SA, Caldwell AE, Melanson EL, Phelan S, Bessesen DH, Catenacci VA. Predictors of long-term weight loss trajectories during a behavioral weight loss intervention: An exploratory analysis. Obes Sci Pract. 2021 Oct;7(5):569-582. PubMed PMID: 34631135
• Stanislawski MA, Frank DN, Borengasser SJ, Ostendorf DM, Ir D, Jambal P, Bing K, Wayland L, Siebert JC, Bessesen DH, MacLean PS, Melanson EL, Catenacci VA. The Gut Microbiota during a Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention. Nutrients. 2021 Sep 18;13(9). PubMed PMID: 34579125
• Dahle JH, Ostendorf DM, Pan Z, MacLean PS, Bessesen DH, Heymsfield SB, Melanson EL, Catenacci VA. Weight and body composition changes affect resting energy expenditure predictive equations during a 12-month weight-loss intervention. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2021 Oct;29(10):1596-1605. PubMed PMID: 34431624
• Siebert JC, Stanislawski MA, Zaman A, Ostendorf DM, Konigsberg IR, Jambal P, Ir D, Bing K, Wayland L, Scorsone JJ, Lozupone CA, Görg C, Frank DN, Bessesen D, MacLean PS, Melanson EL, Catenacci VA, Borengasser SJ. Multiomic Predictors of Short-Term Weight Loss and Clinical Outcomes During a Behavioral-Based Weight Loss Intervention. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2021 May;29(5):859-869. PubMed PMID: 33811477
• Le Roux E, De Jong NP, Blanc S, Simon C, Bessesen DH, Bergouignan A. Physiology of physical inactivity, sedentary behaviours and non-exercise activity: insights from the space bedrest model. J Physiol. 2021 Jan 27. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33501660
• Fox J, Bessesen D, Cunningham J. Secondary adrenal insufficiency: an insidious consequence of the opioid epidemic?. Postgrad Med J. 2021 Jul;97(1149):432-433. PubMed PMID: 32430440
• Kushner RF; Bessesen DH; Gilden AH, Primary Care Evaluation and Management of Obesity, Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia PA 2021
• Saxon DR, Bessesen DH. Obesity as a Disease in Primary Care Evaluation and Management of Obesity, Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia PA, 2021, p1-16
• Kushner RF; Bessesen DH; Gilden AH, Primary Care Evaluation and Management of Obesity, Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia PA 2021
• Halliday TM, Rynders CA, Thomas E, Bergouignan A, Pan Z, Kealey EH, Cornier MA, Bessesen DH. Appetite-Related Responses to Overfeeding and Longitudinal Weight Change in Obesity-Prone and Obesity-Resistant Adults. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2020 Feb;28(2):259-267. PubMed PMID: 31970906
• Gavin KM, Melanson EL, Hildreth KL, Gibbons E, Bessesen DH, Kohrt WM. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Ovarian Suppression in Premenopausal Women: No Change in Free-Living Energy Expenditure. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2020 Nov;28(11):2125-2133. PubMed PMID: 33150745
• Rynders CA, Morton SJ, Bessesen DH, Wright KP Jr, Broussard JL. Circadian Rhythm of Substrate Oxidation and Hormonal Regulators of Energy Balance. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2020 Jul;28 Suppl 1:S104-S113. PubMed PMID: 32463976
• Caldwell AE, Zaman A, Ostendorf DM, Pan Z, Swanson BB, Phelan S, Wyatt HR, Bessesen DH, Melanson EL, Catenacci VA. Impact of Combined Hormonal Contraceptive Use on Weight Loss: A Secondary Analysis of a Behavioral Weight-Loss Trial. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2020 Jun;28(6):1040-1049. PubMed PMID: 32441474
• Fox J, Bessesen D, Cunningham J. Secondary adrenal insufficiency: an insidious consequence of the opioid epidemic?. Postgrad Med J. 2020 May 19. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 32430440
• Gavin KM, Bessesen DH. Sex Differences in Adipose Tissue Function. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2020 Jun;49(2):215-228. PubMed PMID: 32418585
• Halliday TM, Rynders CA, Thomas E, Bergouignan A, Pan Z, Kealey EH, Cornier MA, Bessesen DH. Appetite-Related Responses to Overfeeding and Longitudinal Weight Change in Obesity-Prone and Obesity-Resistant Adults. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2020 Feb;28(2):259-267. PubMed PMID: 31970906
• De Jong NP, Rynders CA, Goldstrohm DA, Pan Z, Lange AH, Mendez C, Melanson EL, Bessesen DH, Bergouignan A. Effect of frequent interruptions of sedentary time on nutrient metabolism in sedentary overweight male and female adults. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2019 Jan 10. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30629473
• Sachs S, Zarini S, Kahn DE, Harrison KA, Perreault L, Phang T, Newsom SA, Strauss A, Kerege A, Schoen JA, Bessesen DH, Schwarzmayr T, Graf E, Lutter D, Krumsiek J, Hofmann S, Bergman BC. Intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) directly modulates skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in humans. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Jan 8. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30620635
• Sachs S, Zarini S, Kahn DE, Harrison KA, Perreault L, Phang T, Newsom SA, Strauss A, Kerege A, Schoen JA, Bessesen DH, Schwarzmayr T, Graf E, Lutter D, Krumsiek J, Hofmann SM, Bergman BC. Intermuscular adipose tissue directly modulates skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in humans. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2019 May 1;316(5):E866-E879. PubMed PMID: 30620635
• De Jong NP, Rynders CA, Goldstrohm DA, Pan Z, Lange AH, Mendez C, Melanson EL, Bessesen DH, Bergouignan A. Effect of frequent interruptions of sedentary time on nutrient metabolism in sedentary overweight male and female adults. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2019 Apr 1;126(4):984-992. PubMed PMID: 30629473
• Tsai AG, Bessesen DH. Obesity. Ann Intern Med. 2019 Mar 5;170(5):ITC33-ITC48. PubMed PMID: 30831593
• Lewis KH, Fischer H, Ard J, Barton L, Bessesen DH, Daley MF, Desai J, Fitzpatrick SL, Horberg M, Koebnick C, Oshiro C, Yamamoto A, Young DR, Arterburn DE. Safety and Effectiveness of Longer-Term Phentermine Use: Clinical Outcomes from an Electronic Health Record Cohort. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2019 Apr;27(4):591-602. PubMed PMID: 30900410
• Lewis KH, Fischer H, Ard J, Bessesen D, Daley M, Desai J, Fitzpatrick S, Horberg M, Koebnick C, Oshiro C, Young DR, Arterburn DE. Response to "Knowledge Gaps in Long-Term Phentermine Use". Obesity (Silver Spring). 2019 Aug;27(8):1220. PubMed PMID: 31264802
• Saxon DR, Chaussee EL, Juarez-Colunga E, Tsai AG, Iwamoto SJ, Speer RB, Heyn H, Kealey EH, Bessesen DH. A Toolbox Approach to Obesity Treatment in Urban Safety-Net Primary Care Clinics: a Pragmatic Clinical Trial. J Gen Intern Med. 2019 Nov;34(11):2405-2413. PubMed PMID: 31485965
• Catenacci VA, Ostendorf DM, Pan Z, Bing K, Wayland LT, Seyoum E, Stauffer BL, Phelan S, Creasy SA, Caldwell AE, Wyatt HR, Bessesen DH, Melanson EL. The Impact of Timing of Exercise Initiation on Weight Loss: An 18-Month Randomized Clinical Trial. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2019 Nov;27(11):1828-1838. PubMed PMID: 31565869
• Saxon DR, Iwamoto SJ, Mettenbrink CJ, McCormick E, Arterburn D, Daley MF, Oshiro CE, Koebnick C, Horberg M, Young DR, Bessesen DH. Antiobesity Medication Use in 2.2 Million Adults Across Eight Large Health Care Organizations: 2009-2015. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2019 Dec;27(12):1975-1981. PubMed PMID: 31603630
• De Jong NP, Debache I, Pan Z, Garnotel M, Lyden K, Sueur C, Simon C, Bessesen DH, Bergouignan A. Breaking up Sedentary Time in Overweight/Obese Adults on Work Days and Non-Work Days: Results from a Feasibility Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Nov 16;15(11). PubMed PMID: 30453553
• Rynders CA, Pereira RI, Bergouignan A, Kealey EH, Bessesen DH. Associations Among Dietary Fat Oxidation Responses to Overfeeding and Weight Gain in Obesity-Prone and Resistant Adults. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018 Nov;26(11):1758-1766. PubMed PMID: 30358145
• Iwamoto S, Saxon D, Tsai A, Leister E, Speer R, Heyn H, Kealey E, Juarez-Colunga E, Gudzune K, Bleich S, Clark J, Bessesen D. Effects of Education and Experience on Primary Care Providers' Perspectives of Obesity Treatments during a Pragmatic Trial. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018 Oct;26(10):1532-1538. PubMed PMID: 30257072
• Hudgel DW, Patel SR, Ahasic AM, Bartlett SJ, Bessesen DH, Coaker MA, Fiander PM, Grunstein RR, Gurubhagavatula I, Kapur VK, Lettieri CJ, Naughton MT, Owens RL, Pepin JD, Tuomilehto H, Wilson KC. The Role of Weight Management in the Treatment of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea. An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018 Sep 15;198(6):e70-e87. PubMed PMID: 30215551
• MacLean PS, Rothman AJ, Nicastro HL, Czajkowski SM, Agurs-Collins T, Rice EL, Courcoulas AP, Ryan DH, Bessesen DH, Loria CM. The Accumulating Data to Optimally Predict Obesity Treatment (ADOPT) Core Measures Project: Rationale and Approach. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018 Apr;26 Suppl 2:S6-S15. PubMed PMID: 29575780
• Creasy SA, Rynders CA, Bergouignan A, Kealey EH, Bessesen DH. Free-Living Responses in Energy Balance to Short-Term Overfeeding in Adults Differing in Propensity for Obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018 Apr;26(4):696-702. PubMed PMID: 29570248
• Young DR, Fischer H, Arterburn D, Bessesen D, Cromwell L, Daley MF, Desai J, Ferrara A, Fitzpatrick SL, Horberg MA, Koebnick C, Nau CL, Oshiro C, Waitzfelder B, Yamamoto A. Associations of overweight/obesity and socioeconomic status with hypertension prevalence across racial and ethnic groups. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2018 Mar;20(3):532-540. PubMed PMID: 29432662
• Rynders CA, Schmidt SL, Bergouignan A, Horton TJ, Bessesen DH. Effects of short-term sex steroid suppression on dietary fat storage patterns in healthy males. Physiol Rep. 2018 Jan;6(2). PubMed PMID: 29380951
• Legget KT, Cornier MA, Bessesen DH, Mohl B, Thomas EA, Tregellas JR. Greater Reward-Related Neuronal Response to Hedonic Foods in Women Compared with Men. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018 Feb;26(2):362-367. PubMed PMID: 29239138
• Bessesen DH, Van Gaal LF. Progress and challenges in anti-obesity pharmacotherapy. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2018 Mar;6(3):237-248. PubMed PMID: 28919062
• Rynders CA, Blanc S, DeJong N, Bessesen DH, Bergouignan A. Sedentary behaviour is a key determinant of metabolic inflexibility. J Physiol. 2018 Apr 15;596(8):1319-1330. PubMed PMID: 28543022
• Bergouignan A, DeJong N, Rynders C, Melanson EL, Bessesen DH. Effect Of Frequent Interruptions Of Sitting On Energy Expenditure And Substrate Oxidation In Overweight Adults: 609 Board #8 June 1, 1: 00 PM - 3: 00 PM. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016 May;48(5 Suppl 1):157. PubMed PMID: 27584223
• Ohman-Hanson RA, Cree-Green M, Kelsey MM, Bessesen DH, Sharp TA, Pyle L, Pereira RI, Nadeau KJ. Ethnic and Sex Differences in Adiponectin: From Childhood to Adulthood. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Dec;101(12):4808-4815. PubMed PMID: 27603898
• Bergouignan A, Legget KT, De Jong N, Kealey E, Nikolovski J, Groppel JL, Jordan C, O'Day R, Hill JO, Bessesen DH. Effect of frequent interruptions of prolonged sitting on self-perceived levels of energy, mood, food cravings and cognitive function. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2016 Nov 3;13(1):113. PubMed PMID: 27809874
• Cox-York KA, Erickson CB, Pereira RI, Bessesen DH, Van Pelt RE. Region-specific effects of oestradiol on adipose-derived stem cell differentiation in post-menopausal women. J Cell Mol Med. 2016 Nov 15. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 27862950
• Cornier MA, McFadden KL, Thomas EA, Bechtell JL, Bessesen DH, Tregellas JR. Propensity to obesity impacts the neuronal response to energy imbalance. Front Behav Neurosci. 2015;9:52. PubMed PMID: 25767441
• Thomas EA, Higgins J, Bessesen DH, McNair B, Cornier MA. Usual breakfast eating habits affect response to breakfast skipping in overweight women. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2015 Apr;23(4):750-9. PubMed PMID: 25755093
• Apovian CM, Aronne LJ, Bessesen DH, McDonnell ME, Murad MH, Pagotto U, Ryan DH, Still CD. Pharmacological management of obesity: an endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Feb;100(2):342-62. PubMed PMID: 25590212
• Cornier MA, Shott ME, Thomas EA, Bechtell JL, Bessesen DH, Tregellas JR, Frank GK. The effects of energy balance, obesity-proneness and sex on the neuronal response to sweet taste. Behav Brain Res. 2015 Feb 1;278:446-52. PubMed PMID: 25447301
• Bessesen DH, Cox-York KA, Hernandez TL, Erickson CB, Wang H, Jackman MR, Van Pelt RE. Postprandial triglycerides and adipose tissue storage of dietary fatty acids: impact of menopause and estradiol. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2015 Jan;23(1):145-53. PubMed PMID: 25354893
• Pereira RI, Low Wang CC, Wolfe P, Havranek EP, Long CS, Bessesen DH. Associations of Adiponectin with Adiposity, Insulin Sensitivity, and Diet in Young, Healthy, Mexican Americans and Non-Latino White Adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015 Dec 22;13(1). PubMed PMID: 26703682
• Tsai AG, Juarez-Colunga E, Felton S, Speer RB, Bessesen DH, Atherly AJ. Medication costs during an 18 month clinical trial of obesity treatment among patients encountered in primary care. BMC Obes. 2015;2:24. PubMed PMID: 26217539
• Hernandez TL, Bessesen DH, Cox-York KA, Erickson CB, Law CK, Anderson MK, Wang H, Jackman MR, Van Pelt RE. Femoral lipectomy increases postprandial lipemia in women. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Jul 1;309(1):E63-71. PubMed PMID: 25968576
• Bessesen D. Expert interview: New ENDO guidelines. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2015 Apr;23 Suppl 1:S13-4. PubMed PMID: 25900869
• Cornier MA, McFadden KL, Thomas EA, Bechtell JL, Bessesen DH, Tregellas JR. Propensity to obesity impacts the neuronal response to energy imbalance. Front Behav Neurosci. 2015;9:52. PubMed PMID: 25767441
• Thomas EA, Higgins J, Bessesen DH, McNair B, Cornier MA. Usual breakfast eating habits affect response to breakfast skipping in overweight women. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2015 Apr;23(4):750-9. PubMed PMID: 25755093
• Apovian CM, Aronne LJ, Bessesen DH, McDonnell ME, Murad MH, Pagotto U, Ryan DH, Still CD. Pharmacological management of obesity: an endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Feb;100(2):342-62. PubMed PMID: 25590212
• Cornier MA, Shott ME, Thomas EA, Bechtell JL, Bessesen DH, Tregellas JR, Frank GK. The effects of energy balance, obesity-proneness and sex on the neuronal response to sweet taste. Behav Brain Res. 2015 Feb 1;278:446-52. PubMed PMID: 25447301
• Bessesen DH, Cox-York KA, Hernandez TL, Erickson CB, Wang H, Jackman MR, Van Pelt RE. Postprandial triglycerides and adipose tissue storage of dietary fatty acids: impact of menopause and estradiol. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2015 Jan;23(1):145-53. PubMed PMID: 25354893
• Schmidt SL, Bessesen DH, Stotz S, Peelor FF 3rd, Miller BF, Horton TJ. Adrenergic control of lipolysis in women compared with men. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2014 Nov 1;117(9):1008-19. PubMed PMID: 25190743
• Bergouignan A, Kealey EH, Schmidt SL, Jackman MR, Bessesen DH. Twenty-four hour total and dietary fat oxidation in lean, obese and reduced-obese adults with and without a bout of exercise. PLoS One. 2014;9(4):e94181. PubMed PMID: 24714529
• Thomas EA, Bechtell JL, Vestal BE, Johnson SL, Bessesen DH, Tregellas JR, Cornier MA. Eating-related behaviors and appetite during energy imbalance in obese-prone and obese-resistant individuals. Appetite. 2013 Jun;65:96-102. PubMed PMID: 23402714
• Cornier MA, McFadden KL, Thomas EA, Bechtell JL, Eichman LS, Bessesen DH, Tregellas JR. Differences in the neuronal response to food in obesity-resistant as compared to obesity-prone individuals. Physiol Behav. 2013 Feb 17;110-111:122-8. PubMed PMID: 23313402
• Schmidt SL, Kealey EH, Horton TJ, VonKaenel S, Bessesen DH. The effects of short-term overfeeding on energy expenditure and nutrient oxidation in obesity-prone and obesity-resistant individuals. Int J Obes (Lond). 2013 Sep;37(9):1192-7. PubMed PMID: 23229737
• Cox-York KA, Sharp TA, Stotz SA, Bessesen DH, Pagliassotti MJ, Horton TJ. The effects of sex, metabolic syndrome and exercise on postprandial lipemia. Metabolism. 2013 Feb;62(2):244-54. PubMed PMID: 22974968