Obesity Management Foundations
for the Primary Care Clinician
Core Program
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is pleased to offer select continuing education (CE) activities and resources for nurse practitioners (NPs) and other advanced practice providers working in obesity management. The Obesity Management Foundations for the Primary Care Clinician program provides advanced practice clinicians online access to a convenient, comprehensive and foundational obesity management program.
Consisting of nine sessions, this program enables NPs and other clinicians to increase their understanding of obesity as a chronic disease, gain a blueprint for the evaluation of obesity management and develop treatment modalities and interventions for patients with the disease of obesity. Participants may earn 9 contact hours (CH) of CE credit by completing all nine activities in this program.
By completing this Obesity Foundations Program, NPs and other clinicians can increase their understanding and foundational education on evidence-based methods for assessing, diagnosing and managing obesity within a clinical environment. The material suits NPs, physicians, physician assistants, trainee clinicians and other health care professionals who treat patients with the disease of obesity.
Upon completing all nine activities, participants will receive the Obesity Management Foundations for the Primary Care Clinician Certificate. The certificate of academic achievement demonstrates to employers, workers and peers their commitment as a clinician in obesity care. Participants who have completed the program and received their certificate will also be interested in an Obesity Across the Lifespan companion program to be released later this year.
Recognizing Obesity as a Chronic Disease - Part 1
Tiffany Lowe Clayton, DO, DABOM, MHPE
This session will discuss the fundamental components of obesity as a chronic disease state. We will define obesity, discuss the many complexities of obesity as a disease and address how to approach the treatment of obesity in a comprehensive way to help patients obtain a healthier weight.
Objectives:- Define obesity.
- Discuss the etiology of obesity.
- Discuss chronicity of obesity disease.
- Discuss the prevalence of obesity in different populations and subgroups.
Recognizing Obesity as a Chronic Disease - Part 2
Lori Wenz, MSN, AGNP-C, BC-ADM, FOMA
This session will review the physiological and psychological health risks associated with obesity, and will examine the impact that obesity has on society. The effect of weight bias and stigma on people living with obesity will be reviewed, and the use of people first language will be discussed. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment of obesity will be examined, and the chronic care model will be presented as appropriate approach to long term disease management.
Objectives:- Describe health risks of obesity.
- Discuss weight bias/stigma and potential effects.
- Discuss importance of timely diagnosis and treatment for the disease of obesity.
Obesity Physiology
Harold Edward Bays MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC
What are the clinical realities of calories in versus calories out? What is the obesity "setpoint"? How does obesity cause metabolic disease? This session will discuss practical clinical applications of obesity physiology and pathophysiology.
Objectives:- Describe components involved in normal body energy regulation.
- Discuss the function of the adipocyte in energy regulation.
- Discuss how weight and appetite are regulated.
Obesity Pathophysiology
Harold Edward Bays MD, FOMA, FTOS, FACC, FNLA, FASPC
This session will further expand on the content from Session 3 and delve deeper into the pathophysiology of obesity. During this session, we will explore the foundational mechanisms of pathophysiology while also analyzing the roles played by the microbiome, sleep patterns, and body fat distribution in influencing both energy dysregulation and obesity.
Objectives:- Describe the mechanisms of compromised energy regulation.
- Discuss energy dysregulation complications.
- Discuss the contribution of the microbiome, sleep, and body fat distribution in energy dysregulation.
- Discuss the role of genetics in energy dysregulation.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Angela Golden, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, FOMA
Christy Davis, DNP, FNP-C
This session will provide guidance for utilizing the current guidelines and algorithm to treat patients with pre-obesity (overweight) and obesity. A review of how obesity fits into a chronic care model will be discussed. Using case studies this session will demonstrate using screening tools and measurements to make a diagnosis and provide staging of the chronic disease of obesity.
Objectives:- Describe the chronic care model and its relationship to obesity care.
- Discuss evidence-based guidelines for the disease of obesity.
- Discuss screening methodologies for overweight and obesity.
- Discuss the staging of obesity disease.
Evaluation and Overview of Obesity Management
Angela Golden, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, FOMA
This session will provide the participant with a blueprint for completing an assessment for a patient with obesity including a weight history, physical examination pertinent to obesity and the diagnostic workup. It will then move into important differential diagnosis and the conditions that obesity can cause and worsen. Finally, the session will end with the importance of using shared decision making in creating a plan of care using the information gleaned from the assessment to individualize the treatment plan.
Objectives:- Describe components of assessment of the patient with obesity.
- Discuss considerations of the diagnostic work-up for the patient with obesity.
- Discuss obesity related conditions.
- Discuss shared decision-making process.
Treatment Modalities and Interventions - Part 1
Angela Golden, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, FOMA
Rebecca J. Graves, Ph.D., NP-C, FAANP
Intensive Lifestyle Therapy (ILT) is a foundational component of healthcare for people with obesity. In this course, the treatment modalities and interventions for obesity (part 1), we will present the pillars of ILT that can be a part of the tool kit of every primary care provider when working with a person who has obesity. We will begin with a review of patient-centered care incorporating a shared decision making model based on evidence. Next, since obesity is a vastly multi-faceted disease, treatment and interventions should also be multi-faceted. Therefore, we will discuss behavioral, psycho-social, environmental, nutritional, and activity factors of ILT. During this course, we will also review barriers to factors of ILT that may prevent success and compliance and discuss ways to find solutions for barriers that cannot be modified. Finally, we will review strategies to facilitate healthy behavior change and on-going support of our patients.
Objectives:- Describe components of Intensive Lifestyle Therapy (ILT).
- Discuss nutrition options included in ILT.
- Discuss potential activity barriers for the patient with obesity.
- Describe 3 communication strategies to aid development of ILT plan.
Treatment Modalities and Interventions - Part 2 (Pharmacotherapy)
Sandra Christensen, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC, FOMA, FAANP
Pharmacotherapy is one of the four pillars of evidence-based obesity treatment. Anti-obesity medications facilitate weight reduction that improves health. They are most effective when they are used as part of a comprehensive obesity treatment plan that includes nutritional therapy, physical activity, behavior modification, and bariatric surgery if indicated. Despite their safety and efficacy, only 1-3% of those eligible receive a prescription for FDA approved anti-obesity medications. This presentation will help you unlearn any outdated or biased beliefs about these medications and learn the latest science on how you can use them safely and effectively. Real-life clinical scenarios will help you learn how to select, initiate, titrate, and monitor these medications. Tips and strategies for personalized medication selection based on complications, co-existing conditions, symptoms, patient preference, cost, and insurance coverage will be provided.
Objectives:- Describe 3 classes of weight promoting medications.
- Discuss the difference between FDA categories of "on-label" and "off-label".
- Identify the available FDA-approved anti-obesity medications, including mechanism of action, contraindications, interactions and adverse effects.
- Describe how to initiate, titrate and monitor response to medications, including criteria for continuation and discontinuation.
Treatment Modalities and Interventions - Part 3
Lori Wenz, MSN, AGNP-C, BC-ADM, FOMA
This session will discuss the role of devices, endoscopic procedures and metabolic and bariatric surgery in the treatment of obesity. Each treatment modality will be described and considerations for patient selection will be reviewed. The expected outcomes for each modality will be presented.
Objectives:- Describe definition of device.
- Discuss difference between device and endoscopic procedure.
- Describe 2 most common metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) procedures in adults.
- Discuss outcomes from MBS procedures.
| Content Expires: | May 31, 2026 (11:55 p.m. CT)
CE for this activity will not be available after this date. |
|  | This activity includes closed captioning. |
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Accreditation Information
This activity is approved for 9.26 contact hours of continuing education (which includes 1.60 hours of pharmacology) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners®. Activity ID# 24046626. This activity was planned in accordance with AANP Accreditation Standards and Policies.
How to Complete this Activity - Read this activity description, including objectives and disclosures.
- Complete all 9 sections of educational content:
- OnDemand Presentations: Click the Play button to watch the activity video lecture. To get full credit for the learning activity portion, you must watch all of the video content in each section.
- Click on the Additional Resources button to review all additional materials provided (handouts and any other downloadable resources).
- Click on the Next Steps button of each section. Click on the "Get Certificate" button that appears at the bottom of the Next Steps window. This will show a brief confirmation of section completion message and direct learners to continue to the next section.
- After completing all 9 sections of educational content, go to the parent module of the activity (top block in the activity group) and click on the Next Steps button:
- Submit the overall activity evaluation to receive full AANP CE/Rx credit.
- Click on the Get Certificate button. At the top of the certificate screen, use the provided dropdown menu and select Obesity Management Foundations for the Primary Care Clinician Certificate.
- A copy of your certificate of completion will display on the screen for you to print or save. A copy of the certificate will also be emailed to you.
Note: This is a multi-section series that enforces linear completion of section content. The certificate of completion will only be awarded for this activity after ALL sections of the activity have been successfully completed AND the final evaluation (located on the parent module) has been completed. No partial credit will be awarded.
Disclosure and Disclaimer Information
This program was planned in accordance with AANP CE Standards and Policies.
All Planners have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Faculty Disclosures:
- Tiffany Lowe Clayton
- Consultant Eli Lilly- Obesity Medicine
- Consultant Novo Nordisk- Obesity Medicine
- Lori Wenz
- Eli Lilly- Speakers Bureau, Obesity
- Harold Edward Bays
- Dr. Harold Bays’ research site institution has received research grants from 89Bio, Allergan, Alon Medtech/Epitomee, Aligos, Altimmune, Amgen, Anji Pharma, Abbvie, AstraZeneca, Bionime, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Esperion, Evidera, Fractyl, GlaxoSmithKline, HighTide, Home Access, Horizon, Ionis, Kallyope, LG-Chem, Madrigal, Merck, Mineralys, New Amsterdam, Novartis, NovoNordisk, Pfizer, Satsuma, Selecta, Shionogi, TIMI, Viking, and Vivus. Dr. Harold Bays has served as a consultant/advisor for 89Bio, Altimmune, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, HighTide, and Lilly.
- Angela Golden
- Acella – Speaker – Advisory board – Thyroid
- BI – Advisory Board - Obesity
- Currax – Speaker – Advisory Board – Obesity
- Lilly – Advisory Board – Obesity & Sleep Apnea
- NovoNordisk - Speaker – Advisory Board – Obesity
- SetPoint – Advisor – Obesity
- WW – Advisory Board – Obesity
- Christy Davis
- Rhythm Pharmaceutical- Speakers Bureau & Advisory Council- Genetic Obesity
- Novo Nordisk- Speakers Bureau – Obesity
- Rebecca J. Graves
- NovoNordisk - Advisory Board - Obesity
- Sandra Christensen
- I am a speaker for Novo Nordisk for obesity
- I am a speaker and am on an advisory board for Eli Lilly for obesity
- I am on an advisory board for Abbott for nutrition/obesity
Disclaimer:
Individuals who have contributed to the CE Center were carefully selected for their knowledge and experience in the subject area under review. This presentation is informational only and may contain opinions of the authors from their personal experience that do not necessarily express the opinions of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). The activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings. Clinical practice is a constantly changing process and new information becomes available every day. Neither AANP nor the contributing individuals can warrant that the material will continue to be accurate, nor do they warrant that the material is completely free of errors upon publication. Attendees and participants should appraise the information presented critically and are encouraged to consult appropriate resources for any product or device mentioned in this program.
Additional Information
For questions or more information concerning this online CE opportunity, please visit the AANP Help Center to find answers to frequently asked questions and request assistance. 
