Overview

• Led by Pennington Biomedical researchers, the synthesis of an April 2024 NORC workshop was published in September 2025 in Obesity.
• It concludes obesity arises from interacting biology, behavior, and environment, challenging one-size-fits-all prevention and treatment.
• The authors identify biomarker and imaging development as priority diagnostics to classify subtypes and guide individualized care.
• They highlight major barriers, including few large, rigorous trials, limited diversity, thin cost-effectiveness data, and clinical integration hurdles.
• Co-chair Corby Martin notes the field remains early-stage and calls for comparative-effectiveness research and policies that ensure affordable access.