Be part of Canada’s obesity guideline
Obesity Canada is inviting interested clinicians, researchers and other qualified experts from across the country to contribute as authors to the Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline.
Guideline authors will work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary group to turn evidence, clinical expertise and diverse perspectives into practical, patient-centred recommendations for obesity assessment and management.
The guideline will support primary care physicians, other healthcare professionals, people living with obesity, caregivers, health systems and policy-makers across Canada.
Key dates, deadlines, and expectations
This is a volunteer role requiring approximately 10–15 hours per month with additional time during key periods over an estimated 12–18 months.
Application deadline: September 29, 2026 at 5 pm ET
Author invitations: Fall 2026
Project kickoff: Fall 2026 to winter 2027
About the opportunity
Canada is recognized as a global leader in clinical guidance for obesity care. Since its publication in 2020, the Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline has been adapted or adopted in eight countries.
The guideline is now being revised to reflect new evidence, evolving clinical practice and a growing understanding of how best to support people living with obesity. The guideline will provide evidence-informed, patient-centred recommendations to support the assessment and management of obesity in adults.
We are building a balanced author group that reflects a range of clinical, research, health-system, policy, implementation and knowledge translation perspectives. We welcome applications from people working in different regions, communities and practice settings across Canada.
Selected authors will be expected to contribute meaningfully throughout the development process and share responsibility for the quality and integrity of the final work.
Who should apply
Applicants must currently live and work in Canada and have done so for five years or more. Where applicable, applicants must be in good standing with their professional regulatory body.
We welcome applications from:
- Physicians and other healthcare professionals involved in obesity care or related fields
- Researchers with expertise in obesity, evidence synthesis, clinical epidemiology, qualitative research, health equity, implementation science or guideline development
- Health system, policy and implementation leaders
- Knowledge translation and education professionals
- Early-career professionals and trainees with relevant experience who are interested in mentorship and building their guideline development skills
For this call, early-career professionals are generally defined using the Canadian Institutes of Health Research definition as being approximately two to five years beyond completion of a professional degree.
Authors may also be considered for chapter lead roles based on their experience, availability, conflict-of-interest status and the needs of the project.
What we’re looking for
Applicants do not need experience in every area listed below. We are seeking a group with complementary skills, knowledge and perspectives.
Clinical or research expertise
Relevant experience in obesity-related clinical practice, research, policy, health systems, implementation, knowledge translation, or related fields. Relevant experience may come from professional practice, research, lived experience, or a combination of these perspectives.
Guideline or evidence experience
Previous involvement in any of the following is preferred:
- Clinical practice guideline development
- Consensus statements
- Systematic or rapid reviews
- Evidence appraisal
- Recommendation development
- Peer-reviewed writing
- Structured critical review
Knowledge translation and implementation
Experience developing practical resources, including clinical tools, patient-facing materials, infographics, decision aids, educational resources, implementation plans, policy briefs, and evaluation plans.
What guideline authors will do
Selected authors should be prepared to work respectfully and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary group, consider evidence and diverse perspectives, respond constructively to feedback, meet agreed-upon deadlines, contribute to consensus-based decisions and remain actively involved throughout the project.
Expected activities and responsibilities include:
- Participating in project orientation and kickoff
- Reviewing research questions and PICO frameworks
- Interpreting evidence and contribute subject-matter expertise
- Drafting and critically revising guideline content
- Participating in consensus meetings and revision cycles
- Keeping financial and non-financial conflict of interest disclosures current
- Reviewing and approving final recommendations
- Supporting knowledge translation and implementation activities
- Taking shared responsibility for the quality and integrity of the guideline
Conflict of interest disclosure
All applicants must complete a financial and non-financial conflict of interest disclosure. Download the COI form here.
Disclosures will be reviewed before confirming the author group. Disclosing an interest does not automatically exclude someone from participating, but it may affect role assignment and/or leadership eligibility.
Selected authors will be expected to update their disclosures throughout the guideline development process.
Timeline and time commitment
Application deadline: September 29, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET
Author invitations: Fall 2026
Project kickoff: Fall 2026 to winter 2027
The guideline development process is expected to take approximately 12–18 months. Selected authors should expect to contribute approximately 10–15 hours per month.
Additional time may be required during periods of:
- Evidence review
- Drafting
- Consensus development
- Critical revision
- Final approval
Applicants should consider their ability to maintain this commitment throughout the full project before applying.
How the guideline is funded
Guideline development is funded through Obesity Canada’s operating budget and self-generated revenue, and is independent of third-party interests.
Guideline authors contribute on a volunteer basis and are not compensated for their time.
People with lived experience who contribute as lived experience experts are compensated for their expertise.
Apply to be a guideline author
Submit your application through this form by September 29, 2026 at 5pm ET.
Before you begin, have these ready:
- Your current CV
- A completed financial and non-financial conflict of interest disclosure form (Download the COI form here)
- Statement of Interest (maximum 750 words) that briefly describes:
- Your relevant experience and expertise
- The perspective you would bring to the author group
- Your preferred role and chapter or topic interests
- Your availability and ability to meet the expected commitments
- Your experience working collaboratively and responding to feedback
- Optional: You may also provide up to five relevant work examples or direct links to:
- Previous guideline work
- Relevant publications
- Knowledge translation resources
- Patient or community engagement work
- Other materials that demonstrate relevant experience.
Questions before submitting your application?
Please contact guidelines@obesitycanada.ca
Applications have now closed
Thank you for your interest in contributing to this important work.
Our team is reviewing applications for the Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline author group. All applicants will receive an update once the selection process is complete.