Six years of impact, and the next chapter for obesity care in Canada

By Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, Scientific Director

In August 2020, after five years of work, The Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline was published.

We knew we were putting something important into the world. What we could not fully know was where it would go next.

In its first seven days after publication, the Guideline generated more than 82 million media impressions and became the most-read article in CMAJ that year. Since then, it has been adopted, adapted, or used as the foundation for guideline development in several countries across the globe. But its impact goes beyond its initial reach.

The 2020 Guideline helped move obesity care toward a chronic disease management approach. It challenged the idea that obesity could be reduced to willpower or body size, brought weight bias and stigma into the clinical conversation, and shifted focus to health outcomes that matter for people living with obesity.

That work was built by many people, including 63 clinicians, researchers, people living with obesity and members of Indigenous communities. I want to recognize the leadership and contributions of Dr. Sean Wharton and Dr. David Lau, who co-chaired the 2020 Guideline, as well as the chapter authors, reviewers, lived experience contributors and administrative teams who helped build that foundation.

Why the Guideline needs to evolve

Since 2020, obesity science and care have changed rapidly.

New evidence has changed how we understand assessment, treatment, and long-term management. Treatment options have expanded. Research has highlighted the need for new obesity models of care, treatment access, and implementation approaches. Some guideline chapters have been updated to keep pace with these advances, including Medical Nutrition Therapy in 2022, and Pharmacotherapy in 2022 and 2025.

Now it’s time for a broader review.

Obesity Canada is beginning work on the 2027 Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline. Alongside the scientific update, we are also strengthening the governance, infrastructure, and processes around the Guideline to protect its scientific independence and rigour, and ensure transparency throughout its development.

The goal is to ensure the 2027 Guideline reflects the latest evidence, is developed through a robust and transparent process, and remains relevant to the people who will use it in practice.

New leadership for the 2027 Guideline

As this next phase begins, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Roshan Abraham will serve as Lead Author of the 2027 Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline.

The Executive Committee will provide strategic leadership and oversight throughout the development, review and publication of the Guideline.

Help shape what comes next

Strong guidelines are build through broad collaboration and informed by diverse expertise, perspectives, and experiences.

The 2027 Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline will bring together leading expertise and new thinking from researchers, healthcare professionals, people with lived experience, Indigenous communities and others who can help ensure the guidance is evidence-based, relevant and practical—and can meaningfully shape obesity care in Canada and beyond.

Since the 2020 Guideline was published, it has become a trusted clinical resource, an educational tool, and an advocacy platform that has transformed obesity care well beyond Canada.

Now it is time to build what comes next.

Contribute to the 2027 Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline

Applications are now open for authors interested in contributing to the 2027 Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline.

The Call for Authors is open until September 29, 2026.