SUMMARY
Seema Kumar, M.D., is an internationally recognized leader in pediatric endocrinology, obesity medicine and metabolic research. She directs multidisciplinary clinical programs for pediatric obesity and lipid disorders.
Dr. Kumar's research focuses on the treatment of childhood obesity and related metabolic diseases. Her work integrates clinical trials and translational research in children and adolescents, with a special emphasis on new biomarkers, genetic and environmental risk factors, and therapies, including pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery.
Focus areas
- Medical management of childhood obesity. Dr. Kumar is interested in identifying best practices for the treatment of obesity in children. She is specifically interested in the role of intensive health behavior and lifestyle modifications as well as medications in managing obesity.
- Role of bariatric surgery in the management of severe obesity in adolescence. Dr. Kumar studies the short-term and long-term efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery in adolescents.
- Syndromic obesity. Dr. Kumar has expertise in the management of syndromic obesity, including Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.
- Genetics of obesity. Dr. Kumar studies the role of genetic variants related to monogenic obesity in the phenotypic presentation of childhood obesity.
- Study of extraskeletal benefits of vitamin D in children with obesity. Dr. Kumar has conducted numerous clinical trials to study the impact of vitamin D supplementation on cardiometabolic markers in adolescents with obesity.
Significance to patient care
Childhood obesity is caused by a mix of body, environmental, family and community factors. Children with obesity often have a hard time managing their weight. Dr. Kumar works to make lifestyle changes, medicines and surgeries safer and more effective for children and teens with obesity. She also studies types of obesity linked to conditions passed down in families and how genes and biology affect weight gain and health. Her research looks at how patients respond to treatment as well.
Professional highlights
- Associate editor, Obesity, 2023-present.
- Pediatric Obesity Weight Evaluation Registry:
- Co-chair, Reporting Outcomes Committee, 2014-present.
- Elected member, board of directors, 2014-present.