Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity: 2026 Updates-Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity: 2026 Updates

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session introduced the American Diabetes Association’s first Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity, developed by a multidisciplinary committee with partner organizations. Unlike traditional guidelines, the standards can address practical questions with limited research, grade each recommendation by evidence strength, and be updated annually.<br /><br />Presenters emphasized that usual obesity care remains inadequate: few patients receive meaningful treatment despite substantial interest. The new standards aim to support personalized, equitable care focused on reducing obesity-related disease burden—not weight loss alone.<br /><br />The screening and diagnosis chapter recommends screening adults for excess adiposity at least annually. It retains BMI as a practical starting point while expanding obesity diagnosis to include some people below BMI 30 who have elevated waist measurements, addressing groups who may be missed by BMI alone. Clinicians are encouraged to assess obesity-related complications and establish practical, non-stigmatizing care processes.<br /><br />The pharmacotherapy chapter recommends offering medication as part of initial treatment for adults with obesity-related complications or elevated risk. Drug selection should reflect patients’ health needs, goals, preferences, and tolerability. Treatment should generally continue long term; maintenance doses can be individualized and need not be maximal. The standards also address switching or combining medications, muscle and nutritional health, drug shortages, and advise against unapproved compounded products.<br /><br />Discussion focused on implementing the standards through clinic workflows and electronic health records, insurance barriers, medication costs and discontinuation, exercise and muscle preservation in older adults, drug combinations, selecting among medications, and care for people with eating disorders. Speakers noted that further evidence is needed to guide several of these situations.

Keywords

American Diabetes Association

Obesity standards

Overweight screening

BMI and waist circumference

Obesity diagnosis

Obesity-related complications

Pharmacotherapy

Weight management medications

Personalized care

Equitable treatment

Clinical guidelines

Long-term obesity care