Obesity, a major health concern that now affects over 40 percent of the U.S. population, is highly influenced by multiple factors and social determinants of health (SDOH), including disparities in health care access, morbidity and mortality rates, health behavior, and multiple risk factors. Diagnostic disparities may also exist: data on body mass index (BMI) thresholds — used in diagnosis and metabolic and cardiovascular evaluation — indicate variations in specific race/ethnicity and gender subgroups that may not be incorporated in current practice. These disparities and how they are currently being addressed are discussed during this session, as well as the prevalence of obesity and concomitant conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer among populations of varying age, sex, race/ethnicity, and SDOH.

The successful management of obesity—a complex, chronic and relapsing disease—through sustainable weight loss interventions can greatly improve individuals’ overall health status and diminish the severity of concomitant diseases such as diabetes. This activity will provide an overview of obesity and diabetes that describes effective multi-interventional approaches to weight loss and, importantly, highlights the role of incorporated lifestyle changes in promoting the likelihood of weight loss success and improved health outcomes. The conversational style of this activity will encourage discussion around obesity-care planning and examine the factors that must be considered due to the chronic and relapsing characteristics of this disease.