The Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) provide a much-needed evidence- and experience-based, patient-centred framework for healthcare professionals, patients and policy makers. They represent the first comprehensive update in Canadian obesity guidelines since 2007, and perhaps the most extensive review of published evidence yet conducted in obesity worldwide. 

Developed by Obesity Canada and the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons, the new CPGs were authored by more than 60 Canadian health professionals, researchers and individuals living with obesity. Together, they assessed well over 550,000 published peer-reviewed articles and built consensus on a wide range of clinical and scientific issues to identify 80 key recommendations.

A summary of the recommendations is published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal online, and 19 in-depth chapters are available via the menu on this page.  The 19 CPG chapters will be an open-source, living document that will be updated as new evidence emerges.

Each chapter contains key messages for people living with obesity, as well as key messages and recommendations for healthcare providers and policy makers.

The CPG development process was supported through a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research grant. 

The search strategies used for the guidelines are not shared externally.

Click here to view the authors acknowledgements for the Canadain Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. 

Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines: Approach & Methods: