Addressing Misconceptions in Obesity: Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches

Safety and efficacy of FDA-approved obesity medications and role of lifestyle modificationsMyth: “Drugs should not be used to treat obesity, because weight will only be regained once weight-loss medications are discontinued”Myth: “All long-term weight-loss medications provide similar weight loss”Myth: “Lifestyle modifications are not as important once a weight-loss medication is startedMyth: “Selection of a weight-loss medication is based solely on its weight loss efficacyMisconception: “Obesity medications obtained online are safe and effective”Interprofessional, multidisciplinary support

Myth: “Low fat diets are the best way to reduce body fat”Myth: “Increased physical exercise is the most effective way to reduce body weightBehavior modificationMyth: “Vitamins and herbal supplements are effective in achieving weight reduction”Myth: “Bariatric surgery is considered the ‘easy way out’ and reserved for patients who are failures and ‘cheaters’ and is too dangerous for everyone else”Key principles of pharmacological management

Benefits of treating obesity as a diseaseMyth: “Weight loss of at least 10% over 6 months is needed for any health benefit”Myth: “Slow and gradual weight reduction is ultimately more effective than large and rapid weight loss”

Misconception: “Obesity is classified solely on BMI”Myth: “There is no staging system available for determining obesity-related morbidity and mortality”

Misconception: “Obesity is a choice, not a disease”Myth: “Individuals with obesity have low metabolism”

Obesity Medicine Association practice statementsCompanion social media resource for patients

Obesity definitions and key milestonesDiagnostic codesCurrent state of treatmentSteps to combat clinician inertia