Obesity: Chronic disease or lifestyle choice?

Join Prof. Carel Le Roux and Dr. Lee Kaplan as they discuss whether we should classify obesity as a lifestyle choice and so a risk factor for other diseases, or a disease in itself. And why this distinction matters.

Geography target: Global excluding the UK, with a focus on Brazil, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain

Learning Objective(s):

After completing this educational activity, learners will be able to:

1) Describe the rationale for recognizing obesity as a chronic disease

2) Discuss the clinical benefits and potential risks of substantial weight loss on obesity and its complications and comorbidities

3) Recall clinical trial data on the efficacy and safety of new and developmental anti-obesity medications​

4) Employ effective styles of communication with people with obesity to mitigate weight bias and stigma"

Funding Information:

This independent educational activity is supported by an educational grant from Eli Lilly. The educational content has been developed by Liberum IME in collaboration with an independent steering committee; Eli Lilly had no influence on the content of this educational activity.

Faculty disclosures

Prof Carel Le Roux -

Advisory Board/Speakers Bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Currax, Eli Lilly, GI Dynamics, Gila, Herbalife, Irish Life Health, Novo Nordisk, Johnson & Johnson, and Rhythm Pharma

Consultant: Keyron

Research/Grant Support: Anabio

Dr Lee Kaplan -

Consultancy fees from: Altimmune, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Gelesis, Gilead Sciences, Eli Lilly & Company, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Sidekick Health, Twenty30.health, Xeno Biosciences

Accreditation information:

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the ACHL and Liberum IME. ACHL is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning (ACHL) designates this enduring material for up to 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ /podcast. Physicians should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), the accreditation body for European countries. Physicians interested in converting AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ to UEMS-European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education CME credits (ECMEC®s) should contact the UEMS at mutualrecognition@uems.eu

The content for this activity was developed independently of the ineligible companies. All materials are included with permission. The opinions expressed are those of the faculty and are not to be construed as those of the publisher or grantors.

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Recommendations involving clinical medicine in a continuing medical education (CME/CE) activity must be based on evidence that is accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their indications and contraindications in the care of patients. All scientific research referred to, reported, or used in CME/CE in support or justification of a patient care recommendation must conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis."

Other disclosures:

Liberum IME staff, ACHL staff and others involved with the planning, development, and review of the content for this activity have no relevant affiliations or