Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, MD, CCFP

Yoni Freedhoff, MD, CCFP, is a family physician certified in obesity medicine at University of Ottawa and the Bariatric Medical Institute in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and a leading figure in obesity medicine and non-surgical weight management. He holds the position of Associate Professor of Family Medicine and founder and Medical Director of the Bariatric Medical Institute.

The research and professional emphasis of Dr. Yoni Freedhoff falls on non-surgical weight management, obesity pharmacotherapy and weight stigma in healthcare.

Some physicians build a clinical practice around nutrition, treating conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease or digestive disorders with diet alongside conventional medical care. Dr. Yoni Freedhoff practises in this way, with a focus on obesity medicine and non-surgical weight management.

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff At A Glance

• Full Name And Credentials: Yoni Freedhoff, MD, CCFP
• Profession: Family physician certified in obesity medicine
• Field Of Focus: Obesity medicine and non-surgical weight management
• Current Position: Associate Professor of Family Medicine and founder and Medical Director of the Bariatric Medical Institute
• Institution: University of Ottawa and the Bariatric Medical Institute
• Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• Sees Patients: Yes, in a clinical setting

Training Pathway Of Dr. Yoni Freedhoff

The qualifications below are drawn from the institutional, professional body and publisher sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Undergraduate: BSc in biology, York University, 1995
• Medical Degree: MD, University of Toronto, graduating with honours
• Certification: Certificant of the College of Family Physicians of Canada
• Further Certification: Certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine in 2005, one of only three physicians in Canada to hold that certification at the time

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff Scope Of Work

Published professional sources describe the work of Dr. Yoni Freedhoff as centred on:

• Non-surgical weight management
• Obesity pharmacotherapy
• Weight stigma in healthcare
• Food marketing and nutrition policy
• Realistic, sustainable approaches to dieting

Appointments And Leadership Roles Of Dr. Yoni Freedhoff

• Associate Professor of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa
• Founder and Medical Director of the Bariatric Medical Institute, an interprofessional evidence based weight management centre established in 2004
• First Family Medicine Chair of the Canadian Obesity Network, 2010
• Author of The Diet Fix, a number one national bestseller in Canada
• Co-author of Best Weight, a practical guide to office based obesity management written for health professionals and made freely available to clinicians
• Writes on nutrition and obesity for publications including US News and World Report, The Globe and Mail and Psychology Today

Honours Received By Dr. Yoni Freedhoff

• Described as a nutritional watchdog by the Canadian Medical Association Journal
• His blog Weighty Matters has received more than ten million visits and has won awards for health writing
• Recognised as a national obesity expert by the Canadian Obesity Network
• Frequently invited to brief journalists and policymakers on how to read obesity research

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff Primary Location

University of Ottawa and the Bariatric Medical Institute

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Clinical commitments at this institution are arranged through its own departments and services. Confirm the current address, department and telephone number with the institution before travelling, because academic appointments and clinic sites change.

Background On Obesity Medicine

Modern obesity science treats excess weight as a condition driven by biology, environment and behaviour rather than a simple failure of willpower. Appetite is regulated by hormones and brain circuits that defend body weight, which is why weight regained after dieting is the rule rather than the exception. Current care combines realistic dietary change, behavioural support, activity and, where appropriate, medication or surgery. Reducing the stigma attached to weight is treated as part of effective treatment, not a courtesy.

Related Obesity Medicine Specialists

If you are comparing specialists, these profiles cover closely related areas of nutrition:

• Dr. Giles Yeo, obesity genetics and appetite at MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge
• Dr. Rena Wing, behavioural weight management at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and The Miriam Hospital
• Dr. Susan Jebb, diet and population health at Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, and the Food Standards Agency
• Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller, glycaemic index research at School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney

Browse the full dietitian and nutritionist directory for more specialists.

Arranging A Consultation With Dr. Yoni Freedhoff

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff is a practising family physician who leads an interprofessional, non-surgical weight management clinic. Access is usually arranged through the institution, a referring doctor or its own clinic rather than through this directory. Insurance participation, fees and waiting times vary by institution and by plan, and they change over time, so check coverage with both the institution and your insurer before scheduling. Use the enquiry button on this page to ask about availability.

Key Questions About Dr. Yoni Freedhoff

What does Dr. Yoni Freedhoff specialise in?

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff is a family physician certified in obesity medicine whose work centres on obesity medicine and non-surgical weight management. Particular areas of focus include non-surgical weight management and obesity pharmacotherapy.

Where is Dr. Yoni Freedhoff based?

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff works at University of Ottawa and the Bariatric Medical Institute in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Does Dr. Yoni Freedhoff see patients?

Yes. Dr. Yoni Freedhoff is a practising family physician who leads an interprofessional, non-surgical weight management clinic. Availability, waiting times and the services offered change, so confirm current arrangements with the institution before travelling.

What did Dr. Yoni Freedhoff study?

MD, University of Toronto, graduating with honours. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. Yoni Freedhoff?

Yoni Freedhoff, MD, CCFP. Certificant of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

What position does Dr. Yoni Freedhoff hold?

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff is Associate Professor of Family Medicine and founder and Medical Director of the Bariatric Medical Institute, based at University of Ottawa and the Bariatric Medical Institute.

References And Sources For This Dr. Yoni Freedhoff Profile

• University of Ottawa expert profile
• Bariatric Medical Institute
• York University alumni profile

Editorial Review And Last Update For Dr. Yoni Freedhoff

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including university faculty pages, professional register and society records, journal author statements and publisher biographies. Qualifications, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Find MD Health Disclaimer For This Dr. Yoni Freedhoff Profile

Information only, not medical or dietary advice. Location, services, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with University of Ottawa and the Bariatric Medical Institute.