The Weight of the Matter: Understanding the Science Behind Obesity and Weight Loss
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
Obesity is a chronic and complex disease that requires a long-term, multifaceted approach to treatment. "Overweight" and "obese" statuses occur when the accumulation of excess fat increases the risk for a patient's poor health outcomes. Healthcare professionals assess a patient's weight circumference and/or body mass index (BMI) as estimates of body fat when diagnosing obesity. Obesity has been linked to numerous problematic health-related outcomes, including the development and worsening of diseases, increased healthcare costs, and diminished quality of life. Given its significant health impacts, patients should be encouraged to approach it as a lifelong condition requiring ongoing management rather than viewing weight loss as merely a short-term goal. Several factors, including genetics, behavior, socioeconomic conditions, and epigenetics, influence the pathophysiology of obesity. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of obesity is essential for healthcare professionals to develop effective treatment strategies and deliver patient-centered care. This course will describe the classification of obesity and explore its epidemiology, etiology, and pathophysiology, and learners will gain insight into the biological and environmental factors driving obesity. This educational activity will also emphasize the importance of a collaborative care approach to obesity management.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Recall the classification of obesity according to body mass index
- Describe factors that influence the pathophysiology of obesity
- Describe metabolic adaptation and its role in obesity management
- Explain the epidemiology and etiology of obesity, highlighting trends and contributing factors in diverse patient populations
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Definitions and Classification of Obesity
A. Body Mass Index (BMI) as a Metric
B. Limitations of BMI as a Metric
III. Conditions Associated with Obesity
IV. Epidemiology of Obesity
V. Etiology of Obesity
A. Genetic Influences
B. Behavioral Factors
C. Environmental Factors
D. Medical Conditions and Medications
E. Socioeconomic Factors
F. Addressing Socioeconomic Factors
VI. Pathophysiology of Obesity
A. Appetite Regulation
B. Peripheral Signals Influencing Appetite
C. Energy Balance
VII. Metabolic Adaptation and Weight Management
A. Personalized and Sustainable Weight Management Strategies
B. Collaborative Obesity Management
VIII. Summary
From April 2, 2025 through April 2, 2028, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP, Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS, Susan Bowlin, DNP, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, CBN, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Austin Frederickson, Liz Frederickson, and Pamela Sardo have no conflict of interest or financial relationship or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose in the development of this activity. Faculty member Susan Bowlin, DNP, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, CBN, is a member of the Speaker’s Bureau for Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.