By 2030, nearly half of all U.S. adults are projected to be obese, and by 2050, one in three children worldwide will be affected. This growing crisis is not simply a matter of personal choice but a complex, multifactorial condition with profound health and economic consequences. Obesity is a major driver of cardiometabolic disease, cancer, respiratory conditions, neurocognitive decline, and fertility challenges, contributing to an estimated $173 billion in annual healthcare costs. Despite its prevalence, individuals with obesity often face stigma, delays in care, and inadequate treatment. Research indicates that physicians may spend less time with patients who are obese and often lack familiarity with evolving clinical guidelines.

As research and clinical practice advance, so does our understanding of obesity and its treatment. This course explores the latest developments in integrative obesity care, incorporating updated diagnostic classifications, emerging pharmacologic therapies, and holistic treatment approaches. The integrative medicine approach to obesity emphasizes evidence-based clinical strategies while also encouraging critical reflection on biases, challenging outdated perceptions of obesity as solely a behavioral issue.

After completing this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of obesity as a complex medical condition rather than a matter of personal choice. It will prompt you to examine your own perspectives and assumptions, equipping you with the evidence-based knowledge and integrative tools needed to provide more effective and compassionate care.

In this course you will learn:

Obesity Basics:

• Definitions and classifications of obesity including Lancet's 2025 new definition and categorization of obesity.
• The strengths and weaknesses of measurements (e.g., BMI, waist/hip ratio, DEXA) of obesity and the evaluation of the patient at risk for, or with obesity.
• Morbidity and mortality associated with obesity that goes beyond cardiometabolic derangements and includes respiratory disease, neurocognitive decline and rheumatologic disease, mental illness and fertility issues.
• The multifactorial causes of obesity.

Treatment of the Patient with Obesity:

• Nutritional patterns that result in healthy weight.
• Exercise for prevention of weight gain, treatment of obesity and reduction of mortality that occurs even in the absence of weight loss.
• Mind body approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, hypnosis and meditative movement.
• East Asian Medicine modalities including Ayurveda and acupuncture.
• Anti-Obesity medications including eligibility for initiation of these medications and the latest data on the nutrient-stimulated hormone-based medications.
• Bariatric procedures including indications, pre-procedural work-up, benefits and risks.
• Maintenance of weight loss.

Pediatric obesity

• A devoted module on pediatric obesity that reviews contributing risk factors, comorbidities and evaluation of the child with obesity along with integrative treatment approaches.

Self-Assessment

• Assessment of what you have learned through a patient waiting room and examination.

This course is designed for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals who seek to expand their expertise in integrative obesity management. With significant new content, including updated clinical guidelines and emerging therapies, it provides a fresh perspective on an increasingly urgent issue—making it valuable even for those who completed the previous edition.

Educational Purpose

Participants will gain an understanding of the complexities surrounding this health issue, review the latest research, and learn about current integrative treatments for obesity and weight gain issues. These include mind-body techniques, nutrition, physical activity and supplements in addition to conventional interventions.

Curriculum

I. Introduction & Basics
II. Clinical Management of the Patient with Obesity
III. Pediatric Obesity
IV. Meet The Patients
V. Evaluation

Topics in Obesity (2025 - 2027) Learning Objectives

• Incorporate into practice knowledge of the epidemic and rising prevalence of obesity in both adult and pediatric populations.
• Examine your own attitudes towards obesity, and develop an understanding that obesity is not a personal choice.
• Counsel patients on the multifactorial causes of obesity, including lifestyle, genetics, gut microbiome, drugs, and environment.
• Incorporate into practice knowledge of the different diagnoses of obesity along with its measurements, such as BMI, percent body fat, and body composition.
• Employ evidence-based integrative treatments that include not only nutrition and exercise but also East Asian Medicine, mind body therapies and supplements.
• Counsel patients that obesity is associated with changes in normal physiology that increases the risk for many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular, metabolic, and rheumatological diseases.
• Advocate for the involvement of communities, schools, government and industry to help solve the obesity epidemic.
• Review the statistics, comorbidities and contributing risk factors of obesity in the pediatric population.
• Clinically evaluate obesity in children.
• Utilize integrative medicine modalities to treat pediatric obesity.

Completion Requirements

Complete all the course work, course evaluation, and the final test with a score of 70% or better. Upon successful completion you will be able to print your certificate of completion.

Target Audience

This online enduring material educational program is designed for physicians, advanced nurse practitioners, and physician assistants and other health care providers who have an interest in obesity treatment.

Enrollment

You can register and start immediately. If you register for the course and pay with a credit card you will have immediate access to the course. Once your registration is complete, logout and log back in and your course will be listed on the campus page. If you cannot remember your account information, click the Forgot Password link on the login page and it will be emailed to you.