Obesity: The Disease and Its Management

Target Audience
The intended audience for this educational initiative is primary care physicians, who are the primary clinicians responsible for the management of obesity.

Program Overview
Obesity is a growing public health crisis, with the obesity prevalence among US adults of 42.4%. The American Medical Association recognized obesity as a disease in 2013 and the Obesity Society and the Obesity Medicine Association have also issued statements defining obesity as a disease. However, most clinicians have received little or no education about obesity. Obesity management begins with lifestyle changes and counseling, with the addition of pharmacotherapy if needed, and if these measures are ineffective, referral to an obesity medicine specialist and possibly to a metabolic and bariatric surgeon. Unfortunately, many patients are not offered these recommended management strategies.

The educational program “Obesity: The Disease and Its Management” will provide clinicians with a greater understanding of the disease of obesity, including its etiology and physiologic effects, and management strategies, including the efficacy and safety of anti-obesity medications and how and when to incorporate them into individualized management plans.

Agenda
Welcome and Introductions
Obesity: Causes and Effects
Managing Obesity
Q&A Session

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Discuss factors which influence the development of obesity
Describe the physiologic effects of obesity
Assess the efficacy and safety of agents approved to manage obesity and those in late‐stage development
Develop individualized management plans for patients with obesity