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  • Perspective
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Behavior, Psychology and Sociology

Counseling patients through an obesity diagnosis: a brief primer for healthcare providers

International Journal of Obesity (2026)Cite this article

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Abstract

Obesity is a complex disease that requires evidence-based treatments to be effectively managed. Despite extant literature detailing the benefits of treatment options currently available, there is a disconnect between established research and public discourse on the treatment of obesity. Due to the recent surge in popularity of highly efficacious incretin-based therapies, more patients are becoming aware of available treatment options and approaching healthcare providers to engage in conversations regarding weight management. Here, we provide details regarding patient preferences on certain terms related to weight management, and guidance for healthcare providers counseling patients through an obesity diagnosis. Given the evidence that individuals with obesity may have misunderstandings regarding the disease of obesity and the role of treatment options, we provide guidance on these complex topics. The authors of this perspective include researchers, clinicians, and a patient. The guidance provided herein is based on available literature, experience in clinical settings, and lived experience.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Communications Committee, The Obesity Society, Rockville, MD, USA

    Faith Anne N. Heeren, Sarah Hales, Alisha H. Redelfs, Katherine H. Saunders & Karen D. Corbin

  2. Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Faith Anne N. Heeren

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Sarah Hales

  4. Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA

    Alisha H. Redelfs

  5. Comprehensive Weight Control Center, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Katherine H. Saunders

  6. AdventHealth Translational Research Institute, Orlando, FL, USA

    Karen D. Corbin

Authors
  1. Faith Anne N. Heeren
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  2. Sarah Hales
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  3. Alisha H. Redelfs
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  4. Katherine H. Saunders
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  5. Karen D. Corbin
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Contributions

All authors discussed the idea for the perspective. FANH led drafting of the outline and manuscript alongside SH and AR. KC and KS critically reviewed the outline and drafted article. All authors substantially contributed to the article and critically reviewed its contents.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Faith Anne N. Heeren.

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Competing interests

All authors report serving on the Communications Committee for the Obesity Society. FANH reports serving on the Obesity Society’s Finance Committee, consulting fees from WW, an honorarium for speaking from the American Academy of Pediatrics, institutional support to travel, and membership on the Obesity Action Coalition’s Membership and Access to Care committees, outside the scope of the submitted work. SH reports receiving support to attend the exam development meeting with the Commission on Dietetic Registration as a Subject Matter Expert in 2020 and being the past chair of the Early Career Committee of the Obesity Society. KDC reports being the immediate past chair of the Communications Committee for the Obesity Society.

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Heeren, F.A.N., Hales, S., Redelfs, A.H. et al. Counseling patients through an obesity diagnosis: a brief primer for healthcare providers. Int J Obes (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-026-02020-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-026-02020-7

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