Research

My research focuses on the biological and clinical mechanisms underlying severe obesity and related diseases. I study how adipose tissue immunity, insulin and metabolic regulation, physical activity, and nutrition influence inflammation and metabolic health. In addition, I work with the broader aspects of obesity - including communication, prevention, and support for people living with obesity and binge eating disorder.

Profile

For more than 25 years, I have worked to understand and explain severe obesity – from the inside, through studies of adipose tissue and metabolism, and from the outside, in the meeting between patients, society, and politics. My work moves between research, clinical practice, and communication, driven by a strong ambition to bridge science and real-life healthcare.

My goal is simple: to improve treatment and make the encounter with people living with obesity more respectful and informed. I see it as a core mission to challenge stigma, create new treatment pathways, and help patients, professionals, and policymakers gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of obesity and diabetes - across all ages.

I am Clinical Professor at Aarhus University, Consultant at Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, and Medical Director of the National Center for Obesity (NCFO).

Commissioned

My advisory work is grounded in research and clinical experience and carried out through my roles at Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus and as Medical Director of the National Center for Obesity (NCFO). I contribute to the development of national guidelines and health strategies focusing on prevention and treatment of obesity and related diseases.
I am a member of the Danish Council for Prevention and serve on the advisory board of the Center for Healthy Living and Wellbeing. I have also contributed to working groups under the Danish Health Authority on bariatric surgery and municipal lifestyle interventions. In addition, I advise municipalities, regions, and organizations on how to structure prevention and treatment effectively - from early initiatives to highly specialized care.

Cooperation and dissemination

I believe that addressing obesity requires collaboration across disciplines and sectors. My work is highly collaborative, bringing together municipalities, regions, general practitioners, and national health authorities, as well as researchers in Denmark and abroad. The projects range from large clinical trials and intervention studies to the development of practical tools and solutions.
I also collaborate with the pharmaceutical industry on clinical studies, as new treatments can only be developed and refined through close interaction between research, clinic, and industry. In addition, I advise health authorities and organizations on how to structure prevention and treatment - from early interventions to specialized care.

Teaching

Teaching is an essential part of my work. I strive to create curiosity and reflection rather than one-way communication, linking theory with clinical experience and real-world practice. Students are actively involved in ongoing research projects, where they gain insight into the biological, clinical, and societal aspects of obesity and metabolism. Supporting young researchers and helping them grow into independent scientists is one of the most meaningful parts of my career.