What’s an obesity specialist—and should you see one?

According to the CDC, more than 40% of adults in the U.S. are living with obesity — but specialists have been rare. The American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) wasn’t created until 2011; outside of that, most doctors get close to zero training in the condition. Things are changing, though. The number of certified obesity medicine providers has almost doubled since 2020, making it easier than ever to find a doctor who understands your body.

Here’s how seeing one of them could change your entire health journey.

Obesity medicine specialists are providers who receive additional education and training in the treatment of obesity. Often, they are certified by ABOM, meaning they’ve done additional clinical training in obesity medicine after medical residency, and passed a test administered by ABOM. Obesity medicine is a specialty that all types of providers can pursue, which matters because obesity can affect people in all healthcare settings.

While the word “obesity” is in the name of the specialty, providers don’t exclusively treat patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 30, the measurement most health organizations use to distinguish the disease. They can help patients at any size with health issues related to their weight.

Up until recently, obesity was viewed as a behavioral issue. But obesity physicians understand it on a cellular level too, involving the gut microbiome, hormones, and neurotransmitters in the brain, among many others.

Part of an obesity medicine physician’s job is to keep pace with a rapidly advancing field, so they can confidently guide you through a range of treatment options.

Rather than seeing you just once a year for a 10-minute physical, many obesity medicine specialists try to see patients every four to six weeks to offer more check-ins and support.

Weight stigma and bias is incredibly common in medical settings…so some providers overcorrect and avoid bringing up obesity at all. Obesity medicine specialists are trained to address the issue head-on while providing stigma-free, compassionate care.

All Weight Watchers providers are board-certified clinicians who have been specially trained in obesity medicine, with the vast majority certified by ABOM. For other options, you can search for obesity specialists via ABOM’s “ Find a Physician ” tool.

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