Obesity Algorithm®
Important Principles for the Effective Treatment of Patients with Obesity
About the 2026 Obesity Algorithm®
The 2026 Obesity Algorithm® is an essential tool for any practice; it contains updated information on the mechanisms, evaluation, and treatment of obesity, including why obesity is a disease, how obesity causes the most common metabolic diseases encountered in clinical practice, and how to treat obesity to reduce disease risk.
The Obesity Algorithm® outlines a comprehensive framework for the clinical assessment and management of obesity as a chronic disease. It begins with a thorough evaluation of the patient, including weight history, neuropsychiatric and social factors, potential secondary or genetic causes of obesity, and the identification of weight-related metabolic and biomechanical complications. The algorithm then emphasizes the role of lifestyle assessment and counseling, guiding clinicians to evaluate nutrition, eating behaviors, physical activity, and sleep while providing structured counseling on behavior change, nutrition, and exercise. It also describes how to develop and manage an individualized, long-term treatment plan that may include anti-obesity medications, bariatric devices, or metabolic and bariatric surgery when appropriate. Finally, the algorithm highlights professional responsibilities in obesity medicine, including maintaining clinical competence, reducing weight stigma, advocating for patients, and promoting broader awareness of obesity as a complex chronic disease.
View the 2026 Obesity Algorithm® Table of Contents:
Assessment & Pathophysiology
- Obtain a weight history
- Obtain a neuropsychiatric history
- Obtain a social history & identify social determinants of health
- Obtain a history of weight-related metabolic & biomechanical complications
- Diagnose weight-related metabolic & biomechanical complications
- Diagnose secondary causes of weight gain or obesity
- Diagnose genetic or syndromic causes of obesity
- Diagnose obesity & characterize its severity
- Discuss obesity as a complex chronic disease
Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Behavior
- Obtain a nutrition history
- Obtain an eating behavior history
- Obtain a physical activity history
- Obtain a sleep history
- Counsel on behavior modification
- Counsel on nutrition
- Counsel on physical activity
- Formulate an effective treatment plan
- Manage the obesity treatment plan long-term
Medications and Bariatric Procedures
- Obtain a medication and supplement history
- Prescribe obesity medications
- Provide periprocedural care for bariatric devices and non-surgical procedures
- Provide perioperative care for metabolic & bariatric surgery
- Tailor treatment for special populations with obesity
- Manage weight-related conditions
Professionalism
- Maintain professional competence in obesity medicine
- Manage the obesity medicine clinical practice
- Reduce weight stigma & bias
- Advocate for patients with obesity within the health system
- Raise public awareness of obesity
Using the Obesity Algorithm® in Clinical Practice
The Obesity Algorithm® is a popular resource among obesity medicine clinicians for:
- Day-to-day conduct of their clinical practice
- Staff training
- Preparation for the American Board of Obesity Medicine certification exam
2026 Obesity Algorithm® | Print
The full-color print copy of the 2025 Obesity Algorithm® serves as a great reference tool for use in your busy day-to-day practice.
OMA Member Price
$109.00
Non-Member Price
$154.00
2026 Obesity Algorithm® | E-book
Interactive e-book features include: Clickable table of contents, keyword search, links to additional education and resources, printable PDF, and a mobile-friendly design.
OMA Member Price
Free
Non-Member Price
$69.00
Additional Resources
View companion resources, arranged by section, for content included in the 2026 Obesity Algorithm®.
OMA Pocket Guidelines
2026 Pocket Guidelines are not yet available - the products listed reference the 2025 version.
The Obesity Medicine Association Pocket Guidelines were developed in collaboration with Guideline Central to provide key information from the Obesity Algorithm® in a quick and easy reference tool to utilize on the go in your practice. Access the digital Pocket Guidelines online or through the Guideline Central app or utilize the small, printed copies in your practice. Either format provides important information on obesity treatment in a practical quick reference guide perfect for any busy practice. Utilize this new resource to make informed clinical decisions when developing treatment plans for your patients with obesity.
Bundle all five Pocket Guidelines and save 20% on your purchase. Each Pocket Guidelines booklet summarizes the key information from the Obesity Algorithm® in a practical quick reference resource.
Printed Bundle OMA Member Price
$45.00
Printed Bundle Non-Member Price
$50.00
Digital Bundle OMA Member Price
$32.99
Digital Bundle Non-Member Price
$35.99
The Chronic Disease of Obesity Pocket Guidelines printed booklet includes an obesity management algorithm, reviews the benefits of obesity treatment, and common methods to measure body composition. Additionally, this guide summarizes common genetic syndromes associated with obesity and eating disorders. The Chronic Disease of Obesity Pocket Guidelines resource is also available as a part of the digital bundle.
OMA Member Price
$12.00
Non-Member Price
$15.00
The Managing Adiposity-Related Diseases Pocket Guidelines printed booklet reviews the major categories of adiposity-related diseases and discusses the key points regarding the diagnosis and treatment of these disease states. Disease categories include: cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, dyslipidemia, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, cancer, and psychiatric disease. The Managing Adiposity-Related Diseases Pocket Guidelines resource is also available as a part of the digital bundle.
OMA Member Price
$12.00
Non-Member Price
$15.00
The Nutritional Management of Obesity Pocket Guidelines printed booklet includes the principles of healthful nutrition, a nutrition management algorithm, flow charts illustrating the rationale supporting the limitation of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats, and a detailed review of eight common nutritional interventions. The Nutritional Management of Obesity Pocket Guidelines resource is also available as a part of the digital bundle.
OMA Member Price
$12.00
Non-Member Price
$15.00
The Pharmacologic Management of Obesity Pocket Guidelines printed booklet summarizes medications that affect body weight, discusses anti-obesity medications and common side effects, and reviews supplements and functional foods as they relate to body weight. The Pharmacologic Management of Obesity Pocket Guidelines resource is also available as a part of the digital bundle.
OMA Member Price
$12.00
Non-Member Price
$15.00
The Management of the Bariatric Surgery Patient Pocket Guidelines printed booklet contains detailed discussion and comparisons of various bariatric surgical procedures, a table of complications associated with different procedures, and nutrition considerations for the post-surgical patient. The Management of the Bariatric Surgery Patient Pocket Guidelines resource is also available as a part of the digital bundle.
OMA Member Price
$12.00
Non-Member Price
$15.00
Pediatric Obesity Algorithm®
The Pediatric Obesity Algorithm® provides health care professionals with an algorithm that guides the treatment of children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.
Referencing the 2026 Obesity Algorithm®
All formats of the 2026 Obesity Algorithm® are subject to a copyright of the Obesity Medicine Association. To reference the use of this resource for educational purposes, please use the full reference:
2026 Obesity Algorithm® Citation: Tondt J, Orr M, Damian A, Magee J, Okubo N, Manalac R, Othman A, KarjooS, Rajpal A, Hooper J, Busse M, Copeland P, Corrado R, Jain S, Bowlin S, George Jr T,Frederiksen K, Pennings N www.obesityalgorithm.org. 2026. https://obesitymedicine.org/resources/obesity-algorithm/(Accessed = Insert date)
2026 Pediatric Obesity Algorithm® Citation: Cuda S, O’Hara V, Browne NT, Censani M, Conroy R, Kharofa R, Browne A, Paisley J,Damian A, Karjoo S, Chaves E, Frederiksen K, Pennings N. Pediatric Obesity Algorithm, presented by the Obesity Medicine Association. https://obesitymedicine.org/resources/obesity-algorithm/pediatric-obesityalgorithm/(Accessed= insert date)