The Weight of the Matter: Understanding the Science Behind Obesity and Weight Loss
Disease State Management/Drug Therapy CE for Pharmacy Techs

Are you a Pharmacist? Check out the Pharmacist version of this course.
Want another way to take this test? Check out the video-based version of this course.
Course Summary
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.
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
Course Syllabus
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
- Read the course objectives and faculty planner disclosure
- Read the course material
- Complete the post-test with a minimum score of 70% and complete the course evaluation form.
- Results are automatically submitted 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 Disclosures
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.
Computer Hardware/Software Requirements
Please ensure the device you plan to use meets these requirements and specifications:
- Operating System: Windows 7,8,10, or 11 /Mac OS X 10.9 or later/iOS/Android
- Supported Browsers: Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera
- A connection to the internet
- For Live Webinars or Conferences: GoToWebinar application for iOS, Android, Mac, or PC. You cannot 'call into' a live conference.
- Target Audience: Pharmacy Tech
- Secondary Audiences: This educational activity is also for other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, physicians, or others who may be part of a healthcare team and may be interested in this educational topic. A healthcare team approach to patient care may be discussed in this activity, as applicable. No state board or professional organization has evaluated this activity to determine whether it meets the continuing education requirements of nurses, physicians, or other professions not listed under the “Target Audience” described above. Always verify with individual employers or supervisors whether they will accept this educational activity upon completion.
- Contact Hours: 1.5 (0.15 CEUs)
- Activity Release Date: 4/2/2025
- Activity Expiration Date: 4/2/2028
- Activity Type: Knowledge
- UAN: 0669-0000-25-038-H01-T
- Topic: Disease State Management/Drug Therapy
- CeBroker Number: 20-1294801
Faculty:

RxCe.com, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".