Obesity is a multi-factorial chronic disease requiring a comprehensive approach to both prevent and treat. Obesity is a major contributor to a large number of preventable deaths in the U.S. and it carries with it a large number of related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, certain cancers, sleep apnea and arthritis. Treating or addressing obesity among those already affected by obesity is difficult. This is clearly demonstrated by the more than 38 percent of Americans who are currently affected by obesity. However challenging though, efforts must be made to both prevent and treat obesity at all stages and in all age groups. Treatment approaches should include: school and community-based programs; lifestyle interventions; educational programs; drug, diet and physician-supervised programs; nutritional counseling; and bariatric surgery.

Below, you will find links to various obesity guidelines that OCAN partners have developed in an effort to address the obesity epidemic:

Obesity Action Coalition (OAC)

• Health Policy Agenda

American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

• ASMBS Clinical Position Statements

Obesity Medicine Association

• Obesity Algorithm

The Obesity Society

• Guidelines (2013) for Managing Overweight and Obesity in Adults

Endocrine Society

• Pharmacological Management of Obesity
• Pediatric Obesity – Assessment, Treatment and Prevention
• The Science of Obesity Management: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

• Adult Weight Management Guidelines

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

• AACE Clinical Practice Guidelines