Obesity Medicine

Ethics in Obesity Treatment and Research

This session addresses the ethical considerations in obesity treatment and research, exploring the challenges healthcare providers and researchers face when navigating issues such as patient autonomy, stigmatization, informed consent, and equity in access to care. Attendees will gain insights into how ethical principles should guide clinical practice, research protocols, and public health policies related to obesity.

Key Topics

• Patient Autonomy and Obesity Treatment: Balancing respect for patient choice with the need for medical guidance in obesity treatment, particularly when lifestyle changes and bariatric surgery are involved.
• Stigma and Discrimination: Addressing the ethical implications of obesity-related stigma in both healthcare settings and research, and how it affects patient care and outcomes.
• Informed Consent in Obesity Research: Ensuring that participants in obesity-related research fully understand the risks, benefits, and potential outcomes of studies, particularly in clinical trials involving new treatments or interventions.
• Access to Care and Health Equity: Examining the ethical responsibility of ensuring equitable access to obesity prevention and treatment, particularly for underserved and marginalized populations.
• Ethical Considerations in Pediatric Obesity: Navigating the complexities of treating obesity in children and adolescents, considering their developmental stage, autonomy, and long-term health impacts.
• Emerging Therapies and Ethical Implications: Evaluating the ethical considerations surrounding new obesity treatments, such as genetic interventions, weight-loss medications, and emerging surgical techniques.