Q&A with John Jakicic, KU obesity and physical activity researcher

John Jakicic, Ph.D., professor of physical activity and weight management at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, has been involved in research for nearly 40 years. He brought his expansive knowledge to KU Medical Center in 2022 with the hope he could grow into leadership roles that could have global impact.

Starting June 1, Jakicic began a three-year leadership role with the Indianapolis-based American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. ACSM has nearly 50,000 international, national and regional members and certified fitness professionals. In year one, he serves as president-elect, in year two he will transition to president and in year three he will serve as immediate past president.

How would you describe your new role at the American College of Sports Medicine?

I oversee a few key elements of the organization that include the annual scientific program committee and the honors and tributes committee, and I serve on the executive committee. In this role, I will work in synergy with the staff leadership to oversee the operations and direction of the organization.

What do you hope to accomplish during your tenure?

Many people are faced with challenges to engage in physical activity in their daily lives. My first goal is to successfully advocate for meaningful integration of physical activity into the lives of all individuals, and to communicate how everyone can be active without overcomplicating this process.

Second, physical activity and exercise need to be integrated into the healthcare system — and not just through a patient being instructed to exercise, but through systems supporting inclusion of qualified exercise professionals into their care.

Third, while supporting the next generation of scientists through programming and academic training, my goal is to integrate the science in a way that translates to meaningful and impactful change. We must understand a patient’s lived experience and perceptions rather than just overlay physical activity recommendations onto their care.

What aspect of your new role is the most exciting for you?

In this position, I will have a seat at the table with very influential policymakers, clinicians and scientists and be able to advocate for meaningful opportunities to integrate physical activity into public health prevention and clinical treatment efforts. The position also allows me to continue our efforts to enhance the competitive edge for recreational and professional athletes.

What are the ACSM’s current challenges?

Like other organizations, the ACSM faces competition from outside entities that are not science-based, but rather are focused on telling a story that results in revenue — even if that story is inaccurate. We must maintain a strong evidence-based foundation while envisioning new opportunities for training and dissemination. We must elevate the importance of having qualified exercise professionals as part of medical care delivery teams, and I am prepared to address this challenge during my term in this leadership role.

How does your role at the ACSM affect KU Medical Center’s programs?

Being elected president of any professional organization is a prestigious recognition. This has a ripple effect on the reputation of KU Medical Center by demonstrating the faculty are recognized as leading scholars and thought leaders in important areas of scientific study and in clinical and public health initiatives. This will provide the university with significant visibility in the application of physical activity to general health, chronic disease and sports medicine.

You’ve received some media attention regarding the role of physical activity in combination with GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy. What should people know?

This is a very important area of study. What we know at this point is that there are many claims being made about physical activity in this space, and most of them are not supported by the evidence. What we do know is that physical activity is helpful for reasons beyond weight loss. These reasons include improving cardiovascular fitness, strength, mental health, musculoskeletal health and other benefits that are not fully realized solely with weight loss.

Renee Rogers, Ph.D., senior scientist in the Division of Physical Activity and Weight Management, and I have some of the only ongoing clinical research trials examining exercise effects within the context of GLP-1 treatment (which mimics the action of a hormone naturally produced by the body) for patients living with obesity. This has put KU Medical Center at the forefront of this research nationally and internationally.