Genetic and Syndromic Causes of Obesity: Diagnosis and Management

Overview

4.5 out of 5 (68 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post-Assessment Questions

11

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

15 Sep 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

This activity aligns with the American Board of Obesity Medicine's content blueprint for the Obesity Medicine board exam. Specifically, this course covers the material in the "A" duties of a physician (A: Evaluating, Examining, and Diagnosing) and the necessary task 12 in the outline (ie, A:12 in the exam blueprint): Diagnose genetic or syndromic causes of obesity. 

Genetic and syndromic causes of obesity represent a clinically significant subset of severe obesity that is often underrecognized in practice. These include monogenic disorders, such as leptin deficiency and melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency, as well as syndromic conditions like Prader-Willi syndrome and Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Patients frequently present with early-onset obesity, hyperphagia, dysmorphic features, or developmental delays that are easily overlooked during standard assessments. Delayed recognition leads to missed opportunities for early intervention and access to precision therapies. Advances in molecular diagnostics now allow more accurate characterization of these disorders. Still, many clinicians lack familiarity with the key red flags, testing strategies, and therapeutic pathways needed for timely diagnosis and management. Early recognition of genetic etiologies is essential for guiding appropriate care and improving long-term outcomes.

Participants in this activity learn systematic approaches for identifying genetic and syndromic obesity, including recognizing early clinical indicators, applying diagnostic algorithms, and using evidence-based genetic testing. Clinicians enhance competence in interpreting complex presentations, initiating referrals, and integrating therapeutic advances, including targeted therapies and coordinated behavioral strategies. Interactive case studies reinforce clinical reasoning and practical decision-making. The course also emphasizes interprofessional collaboration, illustrating how coordinated efforts among clinicians, geneticists, dietitians, endocrinologists, and mental health specialists enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient-centered care. 


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and social workers.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Implement standardized screening protocols incorporating validated questionnaires, growth monitoring, and developmental assessments across the lifespan.

  • Interpret genetic testing results to diagnose patients with suspected monogenic or syndromic obesity.

  • Evaluate patients to determine if they are appropriate candidates for targeted therapies based on their genetic diagnoses.

  • Coordinate interprofessional team management involving endocrinology, genetics, nutrition, and behavioral health specialists to optimize comprehensive care for patients with genetic obesity syndromes.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.


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Social Workers: StatPearls, LLC designates this continuing education activity for 1.50 ASWB ACE credit(s) for social workers. Social Workers should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Michelle R. on 11/2/2021

Deborah Z. on 11/4/2021

Gibi G. on 11/18/2021

Melinda F. on 3/9/2022

candence l. on 5/31/2022

K.Navanitha R. on 7/22/2022

Robert T. on 7/31/2022

Manish Kumar S. on 10/16/2022

on 11/30/2022

This was one of the best reviews I have seen in STT PEARLS. I was led to believe that FTO was the. Most commmon cause of monogenic obesity in adults. Where does it fit compared with MCR4 in adults? Could the author send me a response. Do I need to send the question some other way?

John B. on 12/17/2022

SYED M. on 12/19/2022

Mace S. on 1/24/2023

Karl S. on 2/27/2023

Dana P. on 3/26/2023

Adithya nikhileshwar B. on 5/12/2023

Sweta S. on 7/18/2023

melanie s. on 8/5/2023

Parash Pratim B. on 8/31/2023

Mackenzie H. on 10/22/2023

Nivetha V. on 10/28/2023

Nida A. on 11/1/2023

Aparna C. on 12/11/2023

safoora z. on 12/16/2023

Sushma B. on 12/28/2023

Fernando B. on 12/30/2023

Anuradha S. on 2/15/2024

Dr. Neha K. on 3/27/2024

Kelli M. on 4/11/2024

Tarun S. on 4/20/2024

Malani K. on 5/8/2024

Lakshmi P. on 5/15/2024

John F. on 5/17/2024

Mamta B. on 5/19/2024

Anita M. on 6/17/2024

Karl S. on 6/25/2024

Rachel R. on 6/26/2024

Dawn V. on 7/4/2024

PRANEET R. on 7/9/2024

Anna F. on 7/18/2024

Jessica M. on 7/24/2024

Benjamin S. on 8/1/2024

Jennifer N. on 8/4/2024

Bobby W. on 8/6/2024

TEKUILA W. on 8/30/2024

All these different genes...oh my. Way over my head...

Jennifer H. on 9/7/2024

Inderpreet K. on 9/18/2024

Gautam P. on 9/27/2024

Dr Prashasti k. on 10/10/2024

Roxanne T. on 11/7/2024

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Sanford N. on 12/25/2024

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Ritu R. on 4/29/2025

badabagni hari k. on 6/8/2025

Cora B. on 5/12/2025

Varun R. on 6/14/2025

Kathleen G. on 6/18/2025

TRIBHUVANESH Y. on 7/17/2025

Jasmine H. on 8/3/2025

rebecca h. on 8/6/2025

Alex B. on 8/7/2025

Nebiyu S. on 8/13/2025

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