Obesity and Weight Management

AANP Resources by Therapeutic Area

Continuing Education Courses

The AANP CE Center offers a wide variety of continuing education (CE) activities for nurse practitioners (NPs). Members get more, including access to many free activities and significantly discounted rates on others. The activities are updated frequently, and many obesity-related options are currently available.

Visit the AANP CE Center

JAANP Resource Center

Find evidence-based articles, up-to-date guidelines and other resources about obesity, weight management and nutrition at this resource center, brought to you by the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (JAANP).

Visit the JAANP Resource Center

AANP Clinical Brief

Tackling Therapeutic Inertia Utilizing Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Diabetes Prevention and Optimal Management

This clinical brief equips NPs with a comprehensive, evidence-based overview of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for individuals with and without diabetes. It explores CGM technology fundamentals, reviews clinical evidence across diabetes types and highlights emerging applications in metabolic health and preventive care. Emphasis is placed on the NP’s critical role in interpretation, patient education, shared decision-making and expanding CGM access amid growing health care disparities.

View the Brief

This activity is supported by an independent medical educational grant from Abbott Diabetes.

NP Tools and Resources

AANP-developed Resources to Support NPs in Treating Your Patients

• Practice Brief: Pharmacological Management of Obesity: Obesity Management Association (OMA) 2020 Obesity Algorithm.

Implementing Lipid-Lowering Therapeutics in Your Clinical Practice: A Practical Guide for the Nurse Practitioner

The AANP Clinical Resource Tool for Lipid-Lowering Therapeutics empowers NPs with practical, evidence-based strategies to optimize cholesterol management and reduce cardiovascular risk. Designed as a quick reference guide, it highlights guideline-directed statin and nonstatin therapies; clinical pearls for improving adherence; and tips for overcoming common challenges such as side effects and insurance barriers. With actionable insights and patient-centered approaches, this resource equips NPs to confidently implement lipid-lowering therapies and improve long-term outcomes in their practice.

• Access the Tool.

This activity is supported by educational grant funding provided by Amgen and Novartis.

Kidney Decline: Sounding the Alarm on the Silent Killer

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 35 million Americans, yet many individuals remain unaware of their condition until it has progressed to advanced stages. Early recognition and timely intervention are critical to slowing disease progression and improving patient outcomes.

This clinical reference handout provides a concise, evidence-informed reference designed to support NPs in clinical practice. The resource highlights:

• Key risk factors and conditions associated with CKD
• Early signs and symptoms that may signal kidney decline
• CKD staging using glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albuminuria
• Guidance on assessment, management and referral to kidney specialty care
• Considerations for timely transplant evaluation and referral

By supporting earlier identification and action, this resource helps clinicians address kidney disease before it reaches advanced stages.

This content was developed independently by American Association of Nurse Practitioners and supported by a healthcare contribution from Sanofi. AANP is an independent, non-profit organization representing healthcare providers and does not endorse or promote any specific commercial entities, products, services, or treatments.

The NP’s Guide to Helping Patients Reach Lipid Targets

This practical handout for the NP includes helpful information about the evaluation of patients with lipid abnormalities, risk assessment and treatment decision-making, and strategies for mitigating and managing side effects of statins. Resources are provided for managing the cost of medications.

• Acess the Tool.

Supported by an educational grant from Novartis.

Obesity Management Fundamentals: Essential Clinical Tools

This booklet provides essential information for clinicians managing patients who are overweight or diagnosed with obesity. It covers topics such as conducting a complete adiposity history, eating and meal plans, weight-related complications and anti-obesity medications. It also provides the Binge Eating Disorder Screener-7 (BEDS-7), a description of physical assessment tools for use in clinical practice and a list of weight-promoting medications and alternatives.

View Booklet

AANP developed and produced this tool with the support of an educational grant from Novo Nordisk, Inc. Updated in collaboration with OMA - April 2024.

AANP Community

Engage, Learn, Network and Progress Practice in Obesity and Weight Management

The Obesity Specialty Practice Group (SPG) offers a unique opportunity to interactively collaborate with colleagues who share interest or clinical expertise in obesity. As an SPG member, you’ll have access to a cutting-edge, online forum where you can engage in discussions, document sharing and knowledge exchange with fellow NPs. Come learn, share and help progress the development of theory and practice in obesity.

Join the Obesity SPG

Obesity SPG Members Login

External Resources

Conveniently Curated Information From Other Top Sources

There are many resources available for both patients and providers and we have listed some of them below for your convenience. Inclusion of these links does not imply AANP endorsement.