Rising obesity rates are a concern around the world, as any glance at the news headlines will tell you. Clinicians, researchers, public health authorities, healthcare payers, and citizens alike are seeking solutions to the many health, economic, and societal consequences of this chronic disease. At the same time, remarkable new drugs are offering opportunities to treat and manage obesity in ways that we never could before.
I’m proud that endocrinologists and endocrine researchers have long been at the forefront of addressing this urgent health issue.
Our research members are the ones who discovered GLP-1 receptor agonists, which provide highly effective treatments for one in eight people worldwide with obesity, and are studying how these can be used more effectively and for other diseases. Our clinician members are the ones who created and are updating new Clinical Practice Guidelines, which serve as a blueprint for clinicians around the world to navigate the evolving treatment landscape.
Indeed, obesity and its underlying hormonal dysfunctions are so important to our field that the Endocrine Society recognizes it as a key organizational pillar. That’s why I’m delighted to point out several major new initiatives that demonstrate our continued leadership role in this area.
Our research members are the ones who discovered GLP-1 receptor agonists, which provide highly effective treatments for one in eight people worldwide with obesity, and are studying how these can be used more effectively and for other diseases.
Specifically, the Society this month launched its Center on Obesity and released an important new Scientific Statement, “Obesity Science, Research Gaps and Opportunities in the New Era of Obesity Medicines.”
Together, these initiatives reflect the Society’s commitment to advancing obesity care and research.
Center on Obesity
The Center on Obesity leverages our members’ expertise to accelerate progress in understanding and treating obesity. The Center’s digital home provides a one-stop destination for obesity research, treatment, education, advocacy, expert insights, and more. Among other things, it’s the place where members can find:
- Seminal resources related to obesity, including our new Scientific Statement and a soon-to-be updated Clinical Practice Guideline;
- Meetings, webinars, conferences, awards, and funding opportunities related to obesity care and research;
- The latest research articles on obesity advances from the Society’s premier journals;
- News articles and videos featuring our expert members discussing obesity developments; and
- Advocacy initiatives to improve access to anti-obesity medications and ensure funding for obesity research.
As new conversations emerge from our Obesity Special Interest Group and at events such as Clinical Endocrinology Update 2026 and the Obesity Fellows Program, we will add resources to the Center website and share them with you in our newsletters, on social media, and in EndoForum. Together, we can make a real impact in improving scientific understanding and treatment of obesity.
Scientific Statement
The Center’s launch coincides with the publication of our new Scientific Statement, “Obesity Science, Research Gaps, and Opportunities in the New Era of Obesity Medicines.”
The statement — developed by a panel led by Daniel Drucker, MD, and other experts who examined more than 200 studies — provides the latest science to improve our understanding of obesity, its causes, and why individuals respond differently to treatments.
Our clinician members are the ones who created and are updating new Clinical Practice Guidelines, which serve as a blueprint for clinicians around the world to navigate the evolving treatment landscape.
Among other things, the Scientific Statement:
- Highlights progress made in treating obesity following the advent of GLP-1 receptor agonists;
- Explores opportunities for new research areas into obesity treatments;
- Examines ways to better measure the success of obesity treatments beyond total body weight loss; and
- Allows us to advocate for research funding and evidence-based obesity policies based on the statement’s findings.
The Scientific Statement and new Center on Obesity join the Society’s many other ongoing efforts around obesity.
Among them, our Obesity Special Interest Group provides a venue for members to discuss the latest breakthroughs and advances. Our journals and meetings feature cutting-edge obesity research and best clinical practices. Our continuing education programs include courses in our Center for Learning and through its Obesity Fellows Conference. Our advocacy efforts include calling on Congress to permanently cover the new generation of effective medications and educating policymakers about obesity.
I’m proud to be affiliated with such brilliant colleagues who are making a difference in addressing this chronic condition.
