Adam Gilden, MD

Associate Professor, Medicine-Internal Medicine


FacultyPhoto
Medical School
  • MD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1999)
Graduate School
  • MSc, University of Pennsylvania (2004)
Undergraduate School
  • BA, Middlebury College (VT) (1994)
Internship
  • University of Pennsylvania Program (2000)
Residency
  • University of Pennsylvania Health System Program, Internal Medicine (2002)
Languages
English
Department
Medicine-Internal Medicine

Professional Titles

  • Associate Director, CU Medicine Weight Management and Wellness Clinic
  • Associate Director, Obesity Medicine Fellowship, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Research Interests

I am interested in the intersection of weight management and primary care medical practice.

Publications

  • Tsai AG, Wadden TA, Pillitteri JL, Sembower MA, Gerlach KK, Kyle TK, Burroughs VJ. Disparities by ethnicity and socioeconomic status in use of weight loss treatments. Journal of the National Medical Association. 2009;101:62-70.
  • Tsai AG. Tesofensine and weight loss [Letter]. The Lancet. 2009; in press.
  • Tsai AG, Carvajal R, Wadden TA, Egner R. Obesity. In: DiTomasso RA, Golden BA, Morris H, eds. The Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Approaches in Primary Care. New York, NY: Springer Publishing; 2009.
  • Finkelstein C, Tsai AG. The expert weighs in. Obesity Management. 2009; in press.
  • Tsai AG, Wadden TA, Rogers MA, Ferguson M, Wynne CS, Day S, Pearson F, Beshel D, Islam BJ. A primary care intervention for weight management using medical assistants as counselors. Obesity. 2008:16:S88.
  • Tsai AG, Williamson DW, Glick HA. Direct medical cost of overweight and obesity in the USA: a quantitative systematic review. Obesity Reviews. 2010; doi 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2009.00708.x.
  • Tsai AG, Wadden TA, Rogers MA, Day SC, Moore RH, Islam BJ. A Primary Care Intervention for Weight Loss: Results of a Randomized Controlled Pilot Intervention. Obesity. 2009; doi:10.1038/oby.2009.457.
  • Tsai AG, Mitchell NS. Mr. Jones, can we talk about your weight for a few minutes? Role of the PCP in obesity management. Virtual Mentor. 2010; in press.
  • Tsai AG. Role of GLP-1 analogues in treatment of obesity. Evidence-Based Medicine. 2010; in press. vol 15, issue 2, April 2010
  • Christian JG, Tsai AG, Bessesen DH. Interpreting weight losses from lifestyle modification trials: using categorical data. International Journal of Obesity. 2009; 13 October 2009; doi:10.1038/ijo.2009.213.
  • Tsai AG, Wadden TA. Treatment of obesity in primary care practice in the United States: a systematic review. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2009; 24:1073-1079.
  • Foster GD, Borradaile KE, Shantz KL, Vander Veur S, Oliver T, Virus A, Szapary P, Rader D, Tsai AG. The effects of an almond-enriched, hypocaloric diet on overweight and obese persons: a randomized controlled trial [Abstract]. Obesity. 2009;17:S140.
  • Tsai AG, Ogden LG, Abbo EA. How Much Time Do Primary Care Providers Spend Treating Overweight and Obesity? Estimates from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Obesity. 2009;17:S229.
  • Derbas J, Vetter M, Volger S, Khan Z, Panigrahi E, Tsai AG, Sarwer DB, Wadden TA. Improving weight management in primary care practice: a possible role for auxiliary health professionals collaborating with primary care physicians. Obesity and Weight Management. 2009;5:210-215.
  • Finkelstein C, Tsai AG. The expert weighs in. Obesity and Weight Management. 2009;5:150-153.
  • Tsai AG, Sarwer DB. Obesity and erectile dysfunction. Obesity and Weight Management. 2009;5:183-185.
  • Tsai AG. Airlines should re-consider charging for obesity. Denver Post. April 22, 2009.
  • Mitchell NS, Dickinson LM, Kempe A, Tsai AG. Determining the Effectiveness of Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a Nationally Available Nonprofit Weight Loss Program. Obesity. 2010; Sep 23. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Vetter ML, Wadden TA, Lavenberg J, Moore RH, Volger S, Perez JL, Sarwer DB, Tsai AG. Health-related quality of life: relation to metabolic syndrome, obesity, depression, and co-morbid illnesses. International Journal of Obesity. 2010 Nov 2 [Epub ahead of print]
  • Kumanyika S, Fassbender J, Phipps E, Tan-Torres S, Localio R, Morales K, Sarwer D, Harralson T, Allison K, Wesby L, Kessler R, Tsai AG, Wadden TA. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2010 Nov 7 [Epub ahead of print].
  • Christian JG, Tsai AG, Bessesen DH. Interpreting weight losses from lifestyle modification trials: using categorical data. International Journal of Obesity. 2010;34: 207-209.
  • Tsai AG. A quality-adjusted life year of prevention: the cost-effectiveness of nutrition counseling. J Am Diet Assoc. 2011 Jan;111(1):53-5.
  • Tsai AG, Mitchell NS. Can we talk about your weight for a few minutes, Mr. Jones? Role of the PCP in obesity management. Virtual Mentor. 2010; 12(4):299-304.
  • Fabricatore AN, Tsai AG, Wadden TA, Higginbotham AJ, Anderson A, Foreyt J, Hill JO, Jeffery R, Gluck ME, Lipkin E, Reeves R, Van Dorsten B. Self-monitoring during the screening period in relation to outcomes in Look AHEAD. Obesity; 2010; 18(S2):108.
  • Wadden TA, Chao AM, Moore M, Tronieri JS, Gilden A, Amaro A, Leonard S, Jakicic JM. The Role of Lifestyle Modification with Second-Generation Anti-obesity Medications: Comparisons, Questions, and Clinical Opportunities. Curr Obes Rep. 2023 Dec;12(4):453-473. PubMed PMID: 38041774
  • Taormina JM, Gilden AH, Iwamoto SJ. Meeting the Body Mass Index Requirement for Gender-affirming Surgery Using Antiobesity Medication. JCEM Case Rep. 2023 May;1(3):luad067. PubMed PMID: 37388627
  • Gilden AH, Catenacci VA. Time-Restricted Eating for Treatment of Obesity? The Devil Is in the (Counseling) Details. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Jul;176(7):999-1000. PubMed PMID: 37364267
  • Mechanisms of Hypothalamic Inflammation in Obesity. Medscape. 2024; published online January 3, 2024. Available at: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/999449?faf=1
  • The Obesity Society (TOS): position statement on pharmacotherapy. Available at: http://www.obesity.org
  • Kumanyika S, Fassbender J, Phipps E, Tan-Torres S, Localio R, Morales K, Sarwer D, Harralson T, Allison K, Wesby L, Kessler R, Tsai AG, Wadden TA. Design, recruitment and start up of a primary care weight loss trial targeting African American and Hispanic adults. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2011; 32(2):215-224.
  • Tsai AG, Felton S, Hill JO, Atherly AJ. A randomized pilot trial of a full subsidy versus a partial subsidy for obesity treatment. Obesity. 2011; Jun 30. doi: 10.1038/oby.2011.193.
  • Tsai AG, Abbo ED, Ogden LG. The time burden of overweight and obesity in primary care. BMC Health Services Research. 2011; 11(1):191. doi:10.1186/1472-6963-11-191.
  • Kumanyika SK, Fassbender JE, Sarwer DB, Phipps E, Allison KC, Localio R, . Morales KH, Wesby L, Harralson T, Kessler R, Tan-Torres S, Hana X, Tsai AG, Wadden TA. One-year results of the Think Health! study of weight management in primary care practices. Obesity. 2011; 2011) doi:10.1038/oby.2011.329.
  • Wadden TA, Volger S, Sarwer DB, Vetter ML, Tsai AG, Berkowitz RI, Kumanyika S, Schmitz KH, Diewald LK, Barg R, Chittams J, Moore RH. Treating obesity in primary care practice: a two-year randomized controlled trial. New England Journal of Medicine; 2011;365:1969-1979.
  • Tsai AG, Raube E, Conrad J, Bessesen DH, Rozwadowski JM. A pilot randomized trial comparing a comparing a commercial weight loss program with a clinic-based intervention for weight loss. Journal of Primary Care and Community Health. 2012; accepted for publication.
  • Tsai AG, Herring SJ, Jay M. CMS to reimburse for intensive obesity treatment in primary care: a step in the right direction. SGIM Forum: March 2012; 35(3); 9.
  • Tsai AG, Felton S, Hill JO, Atherly AJ. A randomized pilot trial of a full subsidy versus a partial subsidy for obesity treatment. Obesity. 2012; 20(9):1838-1843.
  • Kumanyika SK, Fassbender JE, Sarwer DB, Phipps E, Allison KC, Localio R, . Morales KH, Wesby L, Harralson T, Kessler R, Tan-Torres S, Han X, Tsai AG, Wadden TA. One-year results of the Think Health! study of weight management in primary care practices. Obesity. 2012;20:1249-1257.
  • Tsai AG, Raube E, Conrad J, Bessesen DH, Rozwadowski JM. A pilot randomized trial comparing a comparing a commercial weight loss program with a clinic-based intervention for weight loss. Journal of Primary Care and Community Health. 2012;3(4):251-55. doi: 10.1177/2150131912439893.
  • Tsai AG, Herring SJ, Jay M. CMS to reimburse for intensive obesity treatment in primary care: a step in the right direction. SGIM Forum: March 2012; 35(3): 9.
  • Mitchell NS, Ellison MC, Hill JO, Tsai AG. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Making Weight Watchers Available to Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare). Journal of General Internal Medicine: 2013: 28(1):12–7
  • Foster GD, Shantz KL, Vander Veur SS, Oliver TL, Lent MR, Virus A, Szapary PO, Rader DJ, Zemel BS, Gilden-Tsai A. A randomized trial of the effects of an almond-enriched, hypocaloric diet in the treatment of obesity. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2012, June 27; doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.037895.
  • Tsai AG, Gopal R. The mentor’s mentor. SGIM Forum: December 2012.
  • Tsai AG, Bessesen DH. Obesity and health care: prevention and support, not penalties. Denver Post. June 3, 2012.
  • Tsai AG, Boyle TF, Mayo J, Heichelbech J, Weiss K. Public Awareness of Weight-Related Health Risk and the Effect of Brief Education. Abstract presented September 2012, Annual Meeting of The Obesity Society, San Antonio, Texas.
  • Tsai AG, Boyle TF, Mayo J, Heichelbech J, Weiss K. Public Opinions of Responsibility for Obesity and Solutions to the Problem. Abstract presented September 2012, Annual Meeting of The Obesity Society, San Antonio, Texas.

Professional Memberships

  • American College of Physicians (ACP), Member
  • The Obesity Society, Member

Practice Locations

CU Medicine Weight Management and Wellness - CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center
12348 E Montview Boulevard
Aurora, CO 80045
303-724-9030

Hospital Affiliation
  • University of Colorado Hospital

Center Affiliations
  • Center For Human Nutrition

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Internal Medicine, Board Certification (2002)
  • Obesity Medicine (2012)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Food, Nutrition and Metabolism
  • Food, Nutrition and Metabolism - Nutrition
  • Food, Nutrition and Metabolism - Weight Loss and Dieting
  • Food, Nutrition and Metabolism - Weight Loss Surgery
  • Surgery - Weight Loss Surgery
  • Surgery
  • Pharmacotherapy for Weight Loss
  • Surgery - Long Term Care after Bariatric Surgery
Clinical Interests
I am interested in helping patients lose weight, particularly those with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and arthritis. I can prescribe individualized diet therapy and I will consider weight loss medications for selected patients. I also can care for patients that have had bariatric surgery.

Care Philosophy
My career goals are to improve the care of patients with obesity and to help my fellow physicians improve their care of patients with obesity. I strive to be a good listener and to show empathy for patients struggling with their weight. I do my best to explain to my patients the science of body weight regulation to help them understand why long-term control of weight can be a challenge.

Personal Interests
My two daughters, physical fitness, science and public policy

Volunteer Activities
I have been very involved in medical professional societies throughout my career. I have taught in the board review course for The Obesity Society since 2014, including as the course director for 5 years. I regularly do peer review for medical journals, and I teach medical students and residents about the management of obesity.