Document Overview

Document Title

Algorithm for the Evaluation and Treatment of Adults with Obesity/Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease

Authoring Society

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

Document Publication Date

Nov 3, 2025

Page Last Reviewed/Updated

May 6, 2026

Document Type

Consensus Statement

Country of Publication

United States

Full Text Freely Available

Yes

Full Text Guideline

www.endocrinepractice.org/article/S1530-891X(25)00977-2/fulltext

Source Citation

Nadolsky K, Garvey WT, Agarwal M, Bonnecaze A, Burguera B, Chaplin MD, Griebeler ML, Harris SR, Schellinger JN, Simonetti J, Srinath R, Yumuk V. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Consensus Statement: Algorithm for the Evaluation and Treatment of Adults with Obesity/Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease - 2025 Update. Endocr Pract. 2025 Nov;31(11):1351-1394. doi: 10.1016/j.eprac.2025.07.017. Epub 2025 Sep 16. PMID: 40956256.

Supplemental Implementation Resources

• Algorithm 1. Principles of person-centered and complication-centric management of obesity/adiposity-based chronic disease
• Algorithm 2. Care model for people with obesity/adiposity-based chronic disease: screening and diagnosis
• Algorithm 3. Diagnosis: anthropometric component
• Algorithm 4. Diagnosis: clinical component
• Algorithm 5. Individualized treatment plan, therapeutic goals, and follow-up
• Algorithm 6. Response to therapy and weight-loss targets for people with adiposity-based chronic disease
• Algorithm 7. Behavioral/lifestyle therapy for people with obesity/adiposity-based chronic disease
• Algorithm 8. Hierarchies of preferred medications for complication-centric care of people with adiposity-based chronic disease
• Algorithm 9. Lower-cost pharmacologic step therapy for adiposity-based chronic disease
• Algorithm 10. Medications for obesity: individualization of therapy
• Algorithm 11. Medications for obesity approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Document Scope, Criteria, and Use Cases

Document Objectives

This 2025 consensus statement provides evidence-based visual guidance in graphic algorithms and a summary of evidence to assist health care professionals and adults with obesity and adiposity-based chronic disease (ABCD) in shared decision making to improve care and achieve health goals. This 2025 algorithm for the medical care of adults with obesity underscores that ABCD is a complex, chronic disease that necessitates long-term treatment and care. Emphasis is placed on optimizing health rather than just weight reduction and achieving clinical goals other than a singular focus on body mass index (ie, complication-centric care). Choice of interventions and intensity of treatment should be individualized, taking disease severity or stage into account. Equality of care and reducing weight bias and stigma through a biopsychosocial chronic care model are critical and included throughout this clinical guidance statement.

Scope

Assessment and Screening, Counseling, Management, Treatment

Keywords

adiposity-based chronic disease, obesity, obesity medications

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adult, Older Adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory

Intended Users

Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, Physician Assistant