Every year, the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) releases the latest version of its clinical resource: the Obesity Algorithm®. This tool helps clinicians understand the complexities of the disease of obesity and implement evidence-based obesity treatment strategies with their patients. The 2017 version of the Obesity Algorithm is now available to download for free online at www.ObesityAlgorithm.org.

Updates to the 2017 version include:

• Patient-first, non-discriminatory language
• “Obesity Paradox”
• Function of Hormones
• FDA-approved surgical procedures
• Nutrient requirements and recommendations after bariatric surgery

Clinicians may reference the Obesity Algorithm when evaluating patients and developing individualized obesity treatment plans. They may also use it as a training tool for staff and clinicians-in-training to introduce them to the comprehensive treatment approach and appropriate language to use regarding patients affected by obesity.

“Clinicians and staff should be trained to avoid hurtful comments, jokes, or otherwise being disrespectful, as patients with obesity encounter this type of bias everywhere else,” said Harold Bays, MD, an obesity medicine physician from Louisville, Ky., co-author of the Obesity Algorithm and a diplomate of ABOM.

“Weight loss is among the most common New Year’s resolutions for patients who have obesity and who want to improve their health,” Bays added. “To help clinicians better meet the needs of their patients, we provided a unique resource that is comprehensive in context, scientifically based with substantial updates, and highly focused on the practicalities of clinical obesity management.”

Download the latest version of the Obesity Algorithm for free now at www.ObesityAlgorithm.org.

At OMA’s upcoming conference, Obesity Medicine 2017, in Seattle on April 19-23, authors of the Obesity Algorithm will present case studies demonstrating how they utilize this tool to optimize their patients’ treatment. Learn more about the conference and preview the schedule at www.ObesityMedicineConference.org.