Obesity Care Resources
Supporting Evidence-Based, Person-Centred Obesity Care
The understanding of obesity continues to evolve, with increasing recognition that obesity is a complex, chronic disease requiring compassionate, evidence-based, person-centred care. For clinicians working with people living with obesity, lymphoedema and lipoedema, keeping up to date with current evidence, clinical guidelines and practical resources is essential.
This collection brings together trusted international resources, clinical practice guidelines, education, podcasts and consensus statements to support informed clinical decision making and ongoing professional development.
International Obesity Collaborative (IOC)
The International Obesity Collaborative (IOC) is a global alliance of leading obesity organisations committed to improving understanding of obesity and supporting evidence-based care worldwide.
The IOC has developed a growing collection of practical consensus statements and educational resources for clinicians, healthcare organisations and policymakers.
Resources include:
- Obesity Care and Weight Loss
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Five Principles of Obesity
- Health Equity in Obesity Care
- Obesity in the Workplace
- Drug Compounding and Safe Obesity Care
Obesity Canada
Obesity Canada provides one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of evidence-based resources for healthcare professionals, people living with obesity and policy makers.
Their website includes:
Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Patient resources
- Educational webinars
- Professional education
- Tools for implementing evidence-based obesity care
Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline
Published by Obesity Canada, these internationally recognised guidelines provide comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and management of adult obesity.
The guidelines emphasise:
- Obesity as a chronic disease
- Person-centred care
- Reducing weight stigma
- Behavioural, nutritional and physical activity interventions
- Medical and surgical management
- Long-term support and follow-up
5As of Obesity Management™
The 5As Framework for Obesity Management provides a practical, evidence-based approach to initiating respectful, patient-centred conversations about obesity and supporting long-term management. Rather than focusing solely on weight loss, the framework encourages clinicians to understand the individual’s health, goals and readiness for change while working collaboratively to develop realistic management strategies.
The five steps include:
- Ask – Seek permission to discuss weight and health.
- Assess – Explore obesity-related health risks, root causes and patient goals.
- Advise – Share evidence-based treatment options.
- Agree – Develop achievable goals together.
- Assist – Support ongoing management and follow-up.
For a practical overview of the framework, Obesity Canada’s Scale Up Your Practice podcast features Dr Campbell Scherer discussing the Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) and the 5As assessment process.
Global Commission on Clinical Obesity
The Global Commission on Clinical Obesity has proposed a more comprehensive approach to defining and assessing obesity in clinical practice.
The Commission recommends that clinicians look beyond body mass index (BMI) alone and consider factors such as body composition, functional limitations, obesity-related health conditions and the impact of excess adiposity on health. This reflects the growing recognition that obesity is a complex chronic disease requiring comprehensive, person-centred assessment.
Obesity Medicine Association (OMA)
The Obesity Medicine Association is a leading professional organisation dedicated to advancing the prevention, treatment and understanding of obesity through education, research and clinical practice.
Their website provides an extensive range of resources for clinicians involved in obesity care.
Obesity: A Disease Podcast
Produced by the Obesity Medicine Association, the Obesity: A Disease podcast explores current evidence, clinical practice, policy and emerging research in obesity medicine.
Episodes feature clinicians, researchers and educators discussing practical approaches to obesity care across a broad range of topics including lifestyle management, pharmacotherapy, nutrition, behaviour change and patient-centred care.
OMA Blog
The Obesity Medicine Association blog provides regular updates on new research, clinical guidance and practical insights for healthcare professionals.
Topics include:
- Obesity as a chronic disease
- Pharmacological management
- Lifestyle interventions
- Nutrition
- Behaviour change
- Weight stigma
- Emerging research
World Obesity Federation
The World Obesity Federation works globally to improve the prevention and treatment of obesity through advocacy, education and research.
Resources include:
- World Obesity Atlas
- Policy reports
- Educational resources
- Position statements
- Global data and trends
European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO)
EASO supports obesity research, education and clinical practice across Europe and provides a wide range of educational resources for healthcare professionals.
Resources include:
- Clinical guidance
- Educational events
- Research updates
- Position statements
- Professional development opportunities
Supporting Better Care
As evidence continues to evolve, clinicians are increasingly encouraged to view obesity through the lens of chronic disease management rather than simply body weight. Access to high-quality education and evidence-based resources can support more informed clinical decision making, reduce weight stigma and help deliver compassionate, person-centred care for people living with obesity, lymphoedema and lipoedema.
If you know of additional high-quality obesity resources that may benefit the lymphoedema community, we would love to hear from you.
Thank you
LES acknowledges and thanks Haddenham Healthcare for sponsoring this article. The article was independently researched, developed, and written by LES.
