Bariatric Care Part 1: An Introduction

Video Runtime: 92 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 29 Minutes

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (2018) reports that in the United States, 75 percent of men and more than 60 percent of women can be classified as overweight or obese, as can nearly 30 percent of youth under age twenty. The high prevalence of these conditions and related comorbidities has serious individual and societal costs, impacting quality of life, morbidity, mortality, and financial well-being. While the etiology of overweight and obesity is multifactorial and complex and continues to be researched, these facts are often overlooked; instead, affected children and adults are many times blamed for their disease and are subject to damaging overweight and obesity bias. Treatment modalities for overweight and obesity currently available include lifestyle modification, pharmacologic options, and metabolic/bariatric surgical interventions. Regardless of the chosen modality, interactions and care must be provided in a physically and psychologically safe manner. This course will provide an overview of overweight and obesity, with a focus on providing optimal care for persons afflicted with this disease. This course is appropriate for all health care providers working in all settings caring for individuals with overweight and obesity.