Obesity is a common and important topic in family medicine, yet we often struggle to find the most effective ways to help our patients, many of whom may be reluctant to discuss it. Because weight is often tangled with identity and emotion, these conversations can be challenging. At the same time, it is essential to consider the effect of obesity on health because it is linked to diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and many other chronic diseases.

This edition of FP Essentials provides practical, evidence-based tools to help family physicians tailor obesity management to each individual, whether the focus is on lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, or surgical intervention. Although new drugs offer promising options for weight management, long-term success still depends on the trusted relationship between the family physician and the patient.

Section One reviews the prevalence of obesity and its broad impact on both individual and societal health, while offering strategies to decrease disease stigma and initiate productive conversations with patients. Section Two focuses on comprehensive lifestyle interventions, highlighting a range of diets. It also discusses the role of technology in supporting behavioral change and improving health outcomes. Section Three examines pharmacotherapy, detailing the differences among available drugs and their relative effectiveness. What stands out is the expansion of anti-obesity drugs in recent years. Section Four addresses surgical interventions, including indications, preoperative evaluation, and long-term management after bariatric surgery.

What I appreciate the most in this monograph is the focus on actionable advice and practical tools that can be used daily. I hope you find this edition useful and inspiring in your ongoing efforts to support patients in their journey toward better health. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

Michelle Nelson, MD, FAAFP, DipABLM, Associate Medical Editor
Clinical Assistant Professor,
Department of Family Medicine
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine