Education center

Learn about obesity, one topic at a time

Plain-language education written for people, not for clinicians — every article sourced, dated, and free of commercial influence. Topics marked “in development” are planned and not yet published; we say so rather than leave the page looking fuller than it is.

Published

Start with these

Myths and misinformation

Nine weight-loss myths, examined

The claims that sound like common sense, what the evidence actually shows, and why the difference matters.

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Treatment

GLP-1 medications, explained

What this class of medicine is, how it works, what it does not do, and the questions to bring to your doctor.

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Getting care

Talking with your doctor about weight

How to prepare for the visit, what to ask, and what to do when a conversation about weight goes badly.

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Browse by topic

The full curriculum

These are the subjects we are building out. Links go to what is published today.

What obesity is, and what causes it

Definitions, the biology of appetite and metabolism, genetics, environment, sleep, stress, and medications. — Published

How weight is measured

BMI and its limits, waist measurement, body composition, and the tests that matter more than the scale. — Published

Myths and misinformation

The most common false claims about weight, and what the evidence shows. — Published

Obesity by the numbers

Sourced, dated statistics on obesity and related conditions, with attention to Latino communities. — Published

Related health conditions

Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, fatty liver, sleep apnea, joint disease. — Published

Nutrition

Building a plate, reading labels, cooking familiar foods in healthier ways, shopping on a budget. — Published

Physical activity

How much, what kind, and why activity improves health even when weight does not change. — Published

Treatment options

Nutrition therapy, behavioral programs, medications, and metabolic surgery — what each involves. — Published

Medications in depth

How GLP-1 and other anti-obesity medicines work, and what they do not do. — Published

Getting care

Preparing for a visit, questions to ask, and what to do when the conversation goes badly. — Published

Weight bias and stigma

What it is, how it shows up in healthcare and daily life, and its effect on whether people seek care. — In development

Mental health and eating

Emotional eating, binge eating, depression and anxiety, and the overlap with weight. — In development

Children and adolescents

Family-centered approaches, what not to say to a child about weight, and when to involve a pediatrician. — In development

Latino food traditions

Keeping the cooking, changing the method — region by region. — In development

Diabetes prevention

Prediabetes, what the numbers mean, and the programs that work. — In development

Insurance and cost of care

What is typically covered, what is not, and how to ask. — In development

How we write

  • Every statistic names its source and the year it describes.
  • We distinguish established evidence from emerging research, and we say when something is uncertain.
  • We do not promise specific weight-loss results or imply a treatment works for everyone.
  • We do not accept commercial influence over educational content, and we name no products.
  • Articles carry a publication date and are reviewed periodically.
Educational information, not medical advice. The content on this site is provided for general education. It is not a substitute for diagnosis, treatment, or advice from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your medical history. Always talk with your own clinician before making changes to your care.