Addressing Misconceptions in Obesity: Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches

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The management of persons with obesity is challenging, made even greater due to the numerous myths and misconceptions among patients and clinicians. For example, “Obesity is a choice, not a disease.” “Weight loss of at least 10% is needed for any health benefit.” “Drugs should not be used because weight will only be regained once they are discontinued.” Science and clinical experience, however, tell us otherwise. In this 90-minute activity, obesity experts Drs. Apovian and Kushner review the evidence to refute more than a dozen myths and misconceptions and share their experiences to address them in clinical practice, thereby helping clinicians improve their ability to collaborate effectively with patients to improve health outcomes. The faculty also provide highlights of a companion webinar series for patients.

This content is also availble as a podcast: You may listen here.

You may also access the companion patient-focused social media resource here.

Please visit our related course, Interprofessional Care of Patients with Obesity, by clicking here.

Course Credit:

1.50 AAPA Category I CME Credits
1.50 ACPE Contact Hours
1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM
1.50 ANCC Contact Hours
1.50 CA-BRN Contact Hours
1.50 Pharmacology Hours

Dates:

Opens: 2025-07-14
Closes: 2026-07-14

Target Audience:

This activity was developed for primary care physicians, internal medicine physicians, cardiologists, endocrinologists, nutritionists, nurse practitioners, physician associates, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment and management of patients with obesity.

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk Inc.

Accreditation Information

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower (Annenberg Center) 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.

The Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower designates this knowledge-based activity for a maximum of 1.5 hours. Credit will be provided to NABP CPE Monitor within 60 days after the activity completion.

The Annenberg Center has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.5 hours AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until July 14, 2026. Physician Associates should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.5 ANCC contact hours, including 1.5 pharmacology hours.

Provider is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #13664, for 1.5 contact hours.
To receive credit for education contact hours outside of the state of California, please check with your state board of registered nursing for reciprocity.

Additional Content Planners

Rinita H. Acevedo, PharmD (Medical Writer)
No significant relationships to disclose.

Eugene Cullen, MD (Peer Reviewer)
No significant relationships to disclose.

Amber Lambert, MSN, FNP-C, DNP (Nurse Reviewer)
No significant relationships to disclose.

All of the financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

    Presenting Faculty

  • Caroline Apovian, MD, FACP, FTOS, DABOM headshot

    Caroline Apovian, MD, FACP, FTOS, DABOM

    Co-Director, Center for Weight Management and Wellness
    Brigham and Women’s Hospital
    Professor of Medicine
    Harvard Medical School
    Boston, Massachusetts

  • Robert Kushner, MD, MS, FACP, FTOS, DABOM headshot

    Robert Kushner, MD, MS, FACP, FTOS, DABOM

    Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology) and Medical Education
    Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
    Former Director, Center for Lifestyle Medicine
    Northwestern Medicine
    Chicago, Illinois

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize obesity as a serious, chronic, multifactorial disease influenced by genetic, metabolic, behavioral, and environmental factors.
  • Become familiar with the nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic options available to treat patients with obesity, focusing on the safety, efficacy, and role of medications approved for long-term use.
  • Individualize pharmacologic treatment supported by the interprofessional, multidisciplinary care team to achieve and maintain identified short- and long-term weight and health goals.

Faculty Disclosures

Caroline Apovian, MD, FACP, FTOS, DABOM

Advisory Board: AbbVie Inc, Altimmune, Inc, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc, BioAge, Biolinq Incorporated, Caribou Biosciences, Inc, CinFina Pharma, Inc, Covidien LP, Cowen and Company, LLC, Currax Pharmaceuticals, LLC, EPG Communication Holdings Ltd, Form Health, Inc, Fractyl Health, Inc, Keros Therapeutics, Inc, Lilly USA, LLC, L-Nutra, Inc, Mediflix Inc, NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc, NodThera Limited, Novo Nordisk, Nutrisystem, OptumRx, Inc, Pain Script Corporation, Palatin Technologies, Inc, Pursuit By You, Redesign Health Inc, ReShape Lifesciences Inc, Riverview School, Roman Health Ventures Inc, Scholar Rock, Inc, Terns, Inc, Verily Life Sciences LLC, Veru Inc, Vida Health, Inc, Wave Life Sciences, Wondr Health, Xeno Biosciences, ZyVersa Therapeutics, Inc.

Research Support: GI Dynamics, Inc, PCORI


Robert Kushner, MD, MS, FACP, FTOS, DABOM

Advisory Board: Antag, Currax, Novo Nordisk, Structure, Weight Watchers

Consultant: Altimmune, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Regeneron