Symposia

Thursday, Nov. 6, 10:00-11:30 am

Adipose tissue does far more than store fat. This session explores its emerging roles in immune regulation, energy balance, and inter-organ communication. Learn how distinct fat depots act as nutrient sensors, how lipolysis and mitochondria influence behavior, and how obesity disrupts these adaptive functions.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 10:00-11:30 am

What are ultra-processed foods (UPFs)? Are UPFs addictive? Do they cause adverse health outcomes? From practical definitions to the cutting-edge science of ultra-processed foods, leading experts will define UPF, describe their potential addictive properties, and present the latest science on the metabolic and health effects of these foods. Finally, policy experts will present regulatory options for mitigating the potential harms of UPFs.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 1:30-2:30 pm

This session does not confer CME credit.

This session is designed for academic faculty, researchers, and clinicians who are exploring transition into roles within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. Participants will gain an overview of the career paths available beyond academia and clinical practice, including opportunities in medical affairs, clinical development, clinical research oversight, and more. Through personal stories the presenters will highlight the benefits of positions outside of academia. Whether you’re in the early stages of considering a move or actively seeking a position, this session will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to take the next step.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 8:30-9:30 am

Explore emerging evidence challenging the notion that obesity directly causes chronic disease. This session debates whether adipose tissue expandability, not weight alone, determines metabolic health—offering a perspective on why some individuals with obesity remain metabolically healthy while others develop disease.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 1:30-2:30 pm

With over 40 million Americans relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), should benefits be restricted to nutritious foods? This session brings together experts to critically examine the evidence, ethics, and implications of proposed policy changes to one of the nation’s largest food assistance programs.

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 3:30-5:00 pm

The Lancet Commission has proposed a new definition and diagnostic criteria for clinical obesity. This session presents key recommendations, followed by a critical debate: should the revised definition be adopted in clinical and research settings? Join the discussion on its scientific and practical implications.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 3:30-5:00 pm

Friday, Nov. 7, 10:00-11:30 am

Food marketing shapes dietary choices, often targeting vulnerable populations. This session explores its health impacts, policy strategies to reduce harm, and the legal challenges and opportunities in regulating marketing practices.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1:30-2:30 pm

With effective obesity medications now available, what is the role of prevention policy? This session examines the relevance of food policies, like sugar taxes and school meal reforms, in a changing landscape, and whether they remain essential alongside clinical treatments.

Friday, Nov. 7, 8:00-9:30 am

Join us to hear firsthand about the new clinical guidelines written by TOS/OMA/OAC for US approved obesity medications as well as guideline updates from Obesity Canda and the World Obesity Federation. This is your chance to gain expert insights and ensure you’re ready to implement the most up-to-date, evidence-based practices from the updated guidelines around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician or just starting to integrate obesity management into your practice, this is the must-attend session that will inform, inspire, and empower you. Don’t miss out on this pivotal moment in obesity management!

Thursday, Nov. 6, 3:30-5:00 pm

With rising demand for anti-obesity medications, compounded alternatives are drawing attention. This session examines their potential to improve access, alongside key safety concerns and FDA regulatory policies-giving clinicians the evidence needed to navigate this evolving treatment landscape.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 3:30-5:00 pm

Weight loss isn’t just about fat. This session explores the critical role of muscle across the lifespan, how obesity affects muscle quality, and emerging research on muscle loss with GLP-1 therapy, highlighting implications for long-term health and treatment strategies.

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1:30-2:30 pm

This session explores the shared and distinct mechanisms linking obesity with metabolic liver diseases like MASLD and MASH. Experts will discuss how adipose dysfunction, inflammation, and insulin resistance drive liver pathology-and how the liver, in turn, contributes to systemic metabolic disease-informing more targeted, effective treatment strategies.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 10:00-11:30 am

Weight loss can slow kidney disease progression and improve outcomes in patients with obesity. This session highlights emerging evidence across the CKD spectrum and explores opportunities for collaboration between nephrology and obesity medicine in both research and clinical care.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1:30-2:30 pm

Interest in subspecialty education in obesity medicine has grown. These presentations highlight a gap between this growing interest and the quality of training available, as well as ongoing work to address this gap. Join us for an insightful session that addresses this need through groundbreaking studies and innovative approaches.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 10:30-11:30 am

This session explores strategies to improve obesity care, navigate prior authorization challenges, and strengthen healthcare-community partnerships. Learn best practices for high-quality treatment, streamline access to medical therapies, and discover effective collaborations to enhance public health and ensure equitable care for all.

Wednesday, Nov. 5 8:00-9:30 am

Obesity treatment options for children are limited, despite clear guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. This session addresses barriers such as insurance coverage, provider reluctance, and centralized care, while offering clinical guidance to pediatric providers on delivering effective, evidence-based treatments.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 10:00-11:30 am

Explore obesity subtypes and variability in treatment response, particularly with GLP-1 therapies. Experts will discuss neural mechanisms, emerging therapeutic targets, and the potential of combination therapies to enhance behavioral, medical, and surgical approaches to obesity treatment.

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 4:00-5:00 pm

This session explores precision exercise for obesity, examining individual variability in exercise responses and the molecular changes induced by physical activity. Experts will discuss current findings and future strategies for tailoring exercise interventions based on molecular profiles to optimize health outcomes.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 8:30-9:30 am

This session explores the Lancet Commission’s new definition of clinical obesity, examining its potential impact on healthcare, policy, and treatment access. Experts will discuss the role of BMI, implications for reimbursement, clinical care, and the balance between scientific accuracy and practical policy implementation.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 10:00-11:30 am

This symposium examines real-world use of obesity pharmacotherapy through large-scale prescribing data and patient-reported experiences. Speakers will identify barriers to access, analyze outcomes, and discuss strategies to improve medication use in primary care-providing clinicians with practical insights to enhance treatment adoption and align care with patient needs.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 1:30-2:30 pm

Get an early look at results from the PCORI-funded TEAM UP trial-one of the largest primary care-based comparative effectiveness studies for childhood obesity. Learn how family-based treatment models, aligned with USPSTF and AAP guidelines, can be integrated into real-world primary care to improve outcomes and scalability.

Friday, Nov. 7, 10:00-11:30 am

Exercise is a lifestyle intervention that promotes many metabolic benefits, such as weight loss. However, many individuals, particularly those with obesity, find it difficult to begin or maintain a consistent exercise regimen. This session will focus on pre-clinical and clinical studies investigating biological mechanisms that regulate the motivation to exercise, with a specific emphasis on factors that target the brain.

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 3:30-5:00 pm

Is obesity just a risk factor—or a driver—of cancer progression? This session examines how adipose tissue interacts with tumors, reshaping the cancer microenvironment. Experts will also present emerging human data on the roles of physical activity and the microbiome in colorectal cancer outcomes.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 8:00-9:30 am

Learn how to navigate the unique challenges of obesity management in older adults, including the age-related weight paradox. Explore effective strategies like GLP-1s and 24-hour movement behaviors to improve outcomes while minimizing risks.

Friday, Nov. 7, 8:00-9:30 am

Highly effective anti-obesity medications like GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP agonists suppress appetite, but may also increase risk for undernutrition. This session examines emerging concerns around malnutrition, potential mechanisms, and the role of clinical nutrition guidance in supporting safe, effective use of these agents.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 10:00-11:30 am

Come hear talks by visionaries, luminaries, and masters of the field. TOS’s awards program was created more than a decade ago to promote, reward, and encourage research in the field of obesity, with the end goal of helping to improve the lives of those affected. Each award recognizes the honoree for their scientific achievements and major contributions to the basic science, treatment and prevention of obesity.

George A. Bray Founders Award Winner Louis Aronne presents: Medical Treatment of Obesity: Its Been A Long Road But I See A Bright Future Ahead

TOPS Research Achievement Award Winner Paolo Piaggi presents: Metabolic Flexibility in Body Weight Regulation

Friends of Albert (Mickey) Stunkard Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Barbara Rolls presents: Reflections on a “Lifetime” of Studying Eating Behavior and Obesity
In this lecture you will learn about the most robust properties of food that affect energy intake and the implications for weight management.

Xavier Pi-Sunyer Award Winner Kevin Williams presents: Rewiring the Brain to Move and Metabolize
This session will explore the plasticity of brain circuits to improve metabolic health.

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 3:30-5:00 pm

GLP-1–based therapies are transforming obesity care—but preserving muscle while reducing fat is critical for long-term function, metabolic health, and quality of life. This high-yield joint session between The Obesity Society (TOS) and Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO) moves beyond physiology to practical, evidence-based strategies clinicians can use now to minimize lean mass loss during GLP-1–assisted weight reduction. Speakers will summarize clinical implications of lean mass loss across various BMI strata, deliver current data on approaches that are applicable across continent, and preview emerging therapeutics—from myostatin–activin pathway inhibitors to selective androgen receptor modulators—that may redefine muscle preservation. With perspectives spanning U.S. and Asia, attendees will leave with preventive algorithms, counseling scripts, and research-ready ideas to optimize outcomes: lose fat, keep strength.

Friday, Nov. 7, 8:00-9:30 am

This session highlights NCCOR’s work advancing multisectoral, community-engaged research to reduce childhood obesity. Learn how leading funders and scientists are accelerating implementation science, policy, and systems change-and gain insights into best practices for translating evidence into effective, scalable prevention strategies.

This session is a joint collaboration between The Obesity Society (TOS) and The National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research (NCCOR).

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 3:30-5:00 pm

Please join us as we showcase our INSPIRE Scholars! The INSPIRE (INter NORC Speaking Scholar Initiative) Program is an exciting new initiative that includes a select group of exemplary and talented junior investigators across ten Nutrition and Obesity Research Centers in the United States. During this symposium, INSPIRE Scholars will present their latest molecular insights to topics relevant to obesity and metabolism with significant implications on the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 3:30-5:00 pm

Obesity and eating disorders often co-occur, and the risk for eating disorders increases as weight status increases. This session will cover screening for eating disorders, with a special consideration for effectively screening in those with overweight/obesity, and will cover the intersection between obesity and eating disorders in children/adolescents and in marginalized populations. This session is a joint collaboration between The Obesity Society (TOS) and Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).

Thursday, Nov. 6, 3:30-5:00 pm

What drives ‘food noise’, and how can we quiet it? This session explores the brain circuits behind persistent food thoughts, the impact of food cue reactivity, and how incretin-based and other anti-obesity treatments may help regulate these signals to support better weight management.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 8:00-9:30 am

Gain actionable strategies from a multi-stakeholder consortium committed to transforming obesity care. Learn how healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders are collaborating to build a more timely, equitable, and integrated system-and leave with practical tools to drive change.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 8:00-9:30 am

Managing severe obesity requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. This session explores surgical options, GLP-1/GIP pharmacotherapy, and individualized lifestyle interventions. Experts will share strategies for integrating care across specialties to improve long-term outcomes and quality of life in patients with complex obesity.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 3:30-5:00 pm

Eating disorders are often overlooked in patients with obesity, yet they critically affect treatment outcomes. This session offers practical tools for identifying and managing disordered eating, before and after weight loss interventions, highlighting screening strategies, early warning signs, and the importance of integrating behavioral health into obesity care.

Friday, Nov. 7, 10:00-11:30 pm

The role of GLP-1 receptor agonists and other obesity medications after bariatric surgery remains unsettled. This session presents expert perspectives on continued use post-op, covering benefits, risks, and real-world challenges. Includes patient insights and evidence to inform clinical decision-making in the absence of formal guidelines.