Obesity Medicine Association Announces Major Updates to Its Adult Obesity Algorithm

Updates help clinicians address chronic disease of obesity, identified as the most common cause of prevalent patient conditions

DENVER — January 20, 2021 — The Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) today announced the immediate availability of the 2021 OMA Adult Obesity Algorithm. The updated Algorithm is an essential tool for any practice; it contains updated information on the mechanisms, evaluation, and treatment of obesity.

“Management of the disease of Obesity continues to evolve,” says Dr. Harold Bays, MD, FOMA, co-chair of the OMA Adult Obesity Algorithm, OMA Chief Science Officer, Board of Trustee member, and Medical Director of L-MARC Research Center in Louisville, Kentucky. “Educational resources must therefore also evolve. For this year, we define ‘pre-obesity’ in an updated classification of percent body fat and provide cut-off point guidance on interpretation of android and visceral fat. We clarify the role of steps in physical activity goals. Finally, we also introduce the novel “ADAPT” concept in telehealth and provide an extensive template for start of an obesity medicine practice.”

The OMA Adult Obesity Algorithm is a resource for health care professionals looking for evidence-based and clinical guidance for managing the chronic disease of Obesity. Other updates to the OMA Adult Obesity Algorithm include:

• Metabolic syndrome
• Approach and management of patients with increasing cholesterol with ketogenic diet
• Updates to women and obesity
• Lipedema
• Obesity and organ transplantation, orthopedic complications, and kidney stones
• Hypothalamic obesity
• Obesity Setpoint Myth
• Fruit versus high fructose corn syrup
• Inclusion of setmelanotide
• Updated links to additional educational resources

The OMA Adult Obesity Algorithm was originally released in 2013 and undergoes a rigorous review each year by a committee representing a diverse range of clinicians, allied health professionals, clinical researchers and academicians, intended to reflect a multidisciplinary and balanced group of experts in obesity science, evaluation and treatment. All contents in the OMA Adult Obesity Algorithm are based upon scientific evidence, supported by medical literature and derived from clinical experiences.

The 2021 OMA Adult Obesity Algorithm is available in print, in a keyword friendly searchable e-book format, and in a PowerPoint presentation format. To learn more, visit www.obesitymedicine.org/obesity-algorithm.