🎙️This episode is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Eli Lilly Canada.

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects an estimated 38% of adults in North America — yet many patients have never heard the term before receiving a diagnosis. Confusion, stigma, outdated language, and misconceptions often contribute to delayed recognition and missed opportunities for early intervention.

We’re joined by Dr. Giada Sebastiani, hepatologist and Professor of Medicine at McGill University, to explore the biological mechanisms behind MASLD, what early signs look like in clinical practice, and how to talk about liver disease in a way that reduces shame and strengthens the patient–provider alliance.

Dr. Sebastiani also shares practical guidance for screening, counselling, and helping patients understand the path forward.

In this episode:

The metabolic link between obesity and MASLD: How insulin resistance, adipose tissue dysfunction, and cardiometabolic risk factors drive steatosis, fibrosis, and progression to advanced liver disease.

Patient communication that reduces stigma: Strategies for explaining MASLD, abnormal liver tests, and imaging findings in clear, non-blaming language that supports trust, understanding, and patient engagement.

Screening and early detection essentials: Practical guidance on who to screen, how to interpret mild enzyme elevations, and when to use tools like FIB-4, transient elastography, and non-invasive biomarkers.

Management that supports long-term liver and metabolic health: How lifestyle interventions, obesity pharmacotherapy, and multidisciplinary care can improve liver outcomes—and how to tailor these approaches to individual patient needs.

Additional resources:

• The Cost of Inaction in Treating Obesity: https://utm.guru/ujpJ5

• Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline: https://utm.guru/ujpJ6

• Free course: Comprehensive Approaches to Obesity Management in Diverse Populations: https://utm.guru/ujpJ7

• Free course: Words matter: The Consequences of Weight Bias and Stigmatizing Language: https://utm.guru/ujpJ8

• Free course: Introduction to Behaviour Change Counselling for Obesity: https://utm.guru/ujpJ9

  
  

  📣 Register for the Canadian Obesity Summit 2026

  Obesity Canada’s flagship scientific congress returns March 25–29, 2026 in Montréal. Join researchers, healthcare professionals, policy leaders, and people with lived experience for five days of learning, collaboration, and community.

  Registration is open now and tickets are already selling fast.

  Register today: https://utm.guru/ujpKa

  
  

  📩 Have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover?

  Email us at scaleuppod@obesitycanada.ca

  
  🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Support us by:

  • Sharing this episode with a colleague or friend

  • Subscribing on your favourite podcast platform

  • Leaving a review to help more listeners find the show