Putting lived experience at the centre of obesity research
What questions about obesity care matter most to Canadians — not to scientists, but to the people living it every day?
That question inspired a national research project, supported by Obesity Canada and guided by the James Lind Alliance (JLA) method, to bring together people living with obesity, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to identify Canada’s top unanswered questions about adult obesity care.
Obesity research has often been led from the top down. This project flipped that script. Instead of researchers deciding what to study, it asked Canadians: What do you need to know? What’s missing from your care?
The result is a first-of-its-kind, community-driven roadmap for the future of obesity research in Canada.
How Canada’s obesity research priorities were identified
Over 18 months, input was collected from people across the country through national surveys, workshops, and roundtable discussions. Every idea — from access to treatment to mental health and stigma — was checked against existing research to identify what remains unanswered.
Participants then came together in a facilitated workshop to discuss, debate, and agree on the top 10 focus areas. The process, guided by the JLA’s core principles of equality and transparency, gave everyone an equal voice — ensuring that research reflects lived experience, not just academic theory.
“This project wasn’t about speaking for people living with obesity — it was about listening to them.”
An interim survey included 96 participants from across Canada, with the largest share from Ontario. Recruitment ensured representation among men and people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, ensuring the final list reflected the full diversity of Canada’s population.
The process led to 20 research questions — further narrowed to a top 10 list, grouped into five themes — that reflect the real-world challenges and opportunities for improving obesity care.
The top 10 questions Canadians want obesity research to answer
Canadians living with obesity, caregivers, and healthcare professionals identified the most important unanswered questions in adult obesity care that highlight where Canadians most want to see progress. Here are the top 10 research questions, in no particular order.
Mental health and stigma: tackling misinformation, stigma, and the psychological impact of obesity
- How does obesity impact mental health, and what are the most effective publicly-accessible interventions to support psychological well-being?
- Which strategies are most effective in addressing misinformation and improving public health literacy about obesity and its causes to reduce weight-related stigma?
Access and equity: addressing the gaps in coverage, resources, and care across regions
- To what extent are treatment options (psychological and behavioural, pharmacotherapy and surgical interventions adjunctive with medical nutrition therapy and physical activity interventions) accessible, and what barriers affect access?
- How can we best provide obesity care to adults in rural areas or those facing resource and coverage limitations, while ensuring access to comprehensive care in Canada, including equipment and multidisciplinary support?
- Which interventions are most effective in improving accessibility in Canadian healthcare and public settings?
Measurement and outcomes: moving beyond BMI to measure health in more meaningful ways
- Why do referrals and access to treatment continue to rely on BMI, and what other measures would be more appropriate?
- What non-weight-loss-focused interventions are available for adults living with obesity, and how can effectiveness be measured beyond weight-based outcomes?
Treatment and personalization: ensuring care reflects each person’s unique needs, culture, and circumstances
- What are the most effective behavioural interventions, and how can those be culturally adapted to meet the needs of diverse populations?
- How can we personalize adult obesity care in Canada and balance treatment options to ensure the best outcomes for each patient?
Training and support for healthcare providers: giving clinicians the tools to deliver bias-free, evidence-based care
- What training and support can be provided to primary care physicians to enhance their understanding of obesity management and improve their ability to offer comprehensive obesity care?
“These questions came directly from the people who live, work, and care in this space every day.”
Why these obesity research priorities matter for Canadians
By putting lived experience at the centre, Canadians have helped shape research questions that can truly transform how we see, support, and understand people affected by obesity.
These priorities identify research gaps and spotlight the real-world barriers that people face: stigma, misinformation, uneven access, and limited treatment options. And they call for a shift toward whole-person, integrated care that values health and well-being beyond weight alone.
What happens next
The full list and methodology will be published through the James Lind Alliance to guide funding and policy decisions for years to come.
For researchers and funders, these questions point to where investment can have the most impact.
For healthcare professionals and community partners, they offer a blueprint for patient-centered care.
And for people living with obesity, they represent something bigger — a shift toward a future where people living with obesity are seen, supported, and understood.
→ Read more: How you can partner with Obesity Canada on research
About the partnership
The Obesity Care in Canada Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) was co-led by Dr. Mary Forhan (University of Toronto) and Dr. Sarah Moore (Dalhousie University), with a neutral JLA Adviser facilitating the process. Ethics approval was granted by Dalhousie University (REB #2024-7070).
The Steering Committee included people with lived experience, caregivers, and clinicians from multiple disciplines, working together under the JLA’s principles of inclusivity and equality.
Learn more about the partnership: Obesity Care in Canada Priority Setting Partnership
