From weight loss drugs to supplements, conference will go from fad to fact

By Lana Sweeten-Shults Published April 4, 2025

Ashlynn Caudill (left), an exercise science major, and Natalie Smith, a nutritional sciences major, are organizing GCU's first POWER Conference, called "The Weight of Evidence: From Fad to Fact in Fitness and Nutrition." (Photo by Ralph Freso)

Two or three years ago, not many people knew about GLP-1’s. Now they’re an all-out weight-loss phenomenon.

The popularity of the weight-loss drug juggernauts – Wegovy, Mounjaro and Ozempic among them – has skyrocketed, with the use of such medications seeing a dramatic 700% increase in prescriptions between 2019 and 2023, particularly among those who are overweight or obese, according to a study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles.

But does everyone know how GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists do what they do?

“I think a lot of people are coming to conclusions about it without knowing a lot of the background – what it actually is – so it’s a great topic,” said Grand Canyon University senior Ashlynn Caudill, an exercise science/sports performance major who’s in the midst of helping organize GCU’s first POWER Conference, dubbed “The Weight of Evidence: From Fad to Fact in Fitness and Nutrition.”

Students Natalie Smith (left) and Ashlynn Caudill want to debunk some of the information on social media regarding weight loss medications, supplements and organics. (Photo by Ralph Freso)

The event, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 12 in Joshua 103, will tackle trends, such as GLP-1’s, and infuse a little fact into the conversation to empower students when it comes to making decisions about their health.

Co-organizer Natalie Smith, a nutritional sciences/pre-med senior, said, “A big part of nutrition and exercise science these days is social media – what we would say are fads – and a part of us always had wanted to debunk what was being said.

“So, when we started talking about this (about the conference theme), we wanted it to come from an evidence-based approach. I think that really drove our decision when it came to picking a topic. I think, ultimately, that was the only real topic we ever really had in mind.”

The conference also will touch on organics.

“That’s come up in a few of our classes,” Smith said. “Like is organic really organic? What does that mean and how does that look? I think we’re under the impression at the moment that when we eat something organic, we’re going to be losing weight, or you’re not going to be eating as many calories, and that’s not necessarily true.”

Dr. Zach Zeigler, GCU exercise science professor, approached students about organizing the conference, which will delve into GLP-1’s, supplements, organics and the toll of social media.

“I did that (organize a conference) as a graduate student, and I learned a lot,” Zeigler said. “I had to reach out to the professionals, and so I thought it would be a good thing to bring here and have our students do it – and they’re doing great.”

Dr. Zach Zeigler, GCU exercise science professor, will present a talk titled "From Ozempic to Wegovy" at the conference.

The event brings together seniors in the Student Wellness and Health Association and the Nutrition Club, with help from the university’s exercise science and nutrition departments in the College of Natural Sciences.

“We really kind of collaborate on a lot of things already,” said Zeigler, who advises the Student Wellness and Health Association, while Courtney Baker, director of nutrition and dietetics, advises the Nutrition Club. “A lot of the exercise science students want to learn about nutrition, and I hope a lot of the nutrition students want to know about exercise, as well. So we just decided to put it (the conference) together."

Featured speakers will include:

GCU exercise science professor Dr. Zachary Zeigler, whose talk is titled, “From Ozempic to Wegovy.” Zeigler is the author of “The 24-Hour Weight Loss Program” and “The Weight Loss Bible: A Scientific Way to Lose Weight and Keep it Off.” He also is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and an avid researcher whose focus is obesity management, cardiovascular health and the physiological effects of exercise interventions. He has published extensively on weight cycling, arterial stiffness, post-exercise hypotension and COVID-19’s impact on weight management.

Arizona State University doctoral student Kinta Schott will speak about “Supplements, Social Media and Safe Choices: Navigating Athlete Decision-Making in the Digital Age.” Schott is a research associate at ASU’s Athleat Field Lab, where she coordinates studies, mentors students and contributes to publications that focus on the future of sports nutrition and performance. Schott, a former college athlete, said she’s passionate about the science behind human performance.

Nicole Clements is a fourth-generation hog and hay farmer from Missouri who is the executive director of the Maricopa County Farm Bureau. She said the average consumer is five generations removed from the farm, and it’s her mission to tell the stories of agriculture and help people understand where their food comes from. Her topic is “Demystifying Organics.”

Dr. Jacob Havenar, an associate professor in GCU’s exercise science department, will present, “Scrolling Ourselves Sick: The Physical and Mental Toll of Social Media.” His talk will explore how social media influences our health behaviors and will look at how online voices, like influencers and podcasters, are challenging our understanding of scientific truth. Havenar is a certified strength and conditioning specialist who has extensive experience as a sports performance coach and health and wellness consultant.

The conference will be free to attend this year, and sponsors the Dairy Council and Beef Council of Arizona are sponsoring a snack for attendees.

“I think everyone should come because it will be interesting,” Smith said. “… I think it will be a really fun way to learn.”

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