Policy Interventions to Enhance Medical Care for People With Obesity in the United States-Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions

Abstract

Policy Points Health policymakers have insufficiently addressed care for people with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m² ) in the United States. Current federal policies targeting obesity medications reflect this unfortunate reality. We argue for a novel policy framework to increase access to effective obesity therapeutics and care, recognizing that, though prevention is critical, the epidemic proportions of obesity in the United States warrant immediate interventions to augment care. Reducing barriers to and improving the quality of existing anti-obesity medications, intensive behavioral therapy, weight management nutrition and dietary counseling, and bariatric surgery are critical. Moreover, to ensure continuity of care and patient-clinician trust, combating physician and broader weight stigma must represent a central component of any viable obesity care agenda.

Keywords: obesity; obesity therapy; weight stigma.