On Demand: Annotated Review Article: Mechanisms, Pathophysiology, and Management of Obesity

This seminal NEJM Review Article has been annotated by authors Steven B. Heymsfield, M.D. and Thomas A. Wadden, Ph.D. to include recent advances in the treatment and practice of obesity medicine.

Target Audience

The target audience for this learning program will be U.S.–-based primary care and geriatric clinicians who treat adults. This includes internal medicine (IM) and family medicine (FM) physicians and residents, hospitalists, physician associates (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

Learning Objectives

  • Examine the roles of environmental and genetic factors in obesity.
  • Articulate the mechanisms and pathophysiology of obesity. 
  • Evaluate the current landscape of treatment options for obesity.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Participation
Course opens: 
03/20/2024
Course expires: 
03/21/2027

Format & Estimated Time to Complete: Annotated Article, Pre & Post Exams, and Evaluation - 1 hour

Exam/Assessment: A score of 100% on the post activity exam is needed to obtain credit for this activity. 

Disclosure of Support: This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Disclosure Statement:
All individuals in control of the content for an MMS accredited continuing education activity must disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the past 24-months.  The following individuals disclosed relevant relationships with ineligible companies

Steven B. Heymsfield, MD         Medifast, Abbott                            Medical Advisory Board Member
                                                     Versanis (ended 10/2023)             Medical Advisory Board Member
                                                     Novo Nordisk                                Data Safety Monitoring Committee

Thomas Wadden, PhD                Novo Nordisk, WW                        Scientific Advisory Board

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the beginning of this activity in accordance with ACCME and MMS policies.  For this activity, all other individuals in control of content did not disclose any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Activity Term:
Original Release Date: 3/22/2024
Review Date(s): N/A
Termination Date: 3/21/2027


Steven B. Heymsfield, M.D.
Professor and Director, Body Composition-Metabolism Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center,Baton Rouge



Thomas A. Wadden, Ph.D.
Professor, of Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania


Ole-Petter R. Hamnvik, MB BCh BAO, MMSc, MRCPI
Education Editor, NEJM Group

Accreditation Statement:
The Massachusetts Medical Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA Credit Designation Statement:
The Massachusetts Medical Society designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
The AAFP has reviewed On Demand: Annotated Review Article: Mechanisms, Pathophysiology, and Management of Obesity and deemed it acceptable for up to 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit(s). Term of Approval is from 04/15/2024 to 04/15/2025. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
This activity has been reviewed by the AAPA Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 5.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid from 3/22/2024 to 6/20/2025. AAPA reference number: CME-2011143.
Annotated Article
This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
Pharmacology Contact Hours
This activity is approved for 1.0 contact hour(s) of continuing education (which includes 0.5 hour(s) of pharmacology) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners®.  Activity ID# 24036571. This activity was planned in accordance with AANP Accreditation Standards and Policies.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Participation
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