Overeating and Obesity: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions

Course overview

By the year 2030, half of the U.S. population will be obese (CDC.gov). Ironically, as rates of obesity have risen, so have the rates of weight bias and stigmatization toward individuals of larger body sizes, even within healthcare settings and among healthcare professionals, including physical therapists (Bannuru, 2025; Lawrence, 2021). Such stigma can result in both physical and psychological harm to patients, and it presents a major obstacle in the effort to effectively prevent and treat obesity (Rubino, 2025; Rubino, 2020; Ryan, 2024; Robinson, 2024). Research indicates that these stigmatizing attitudes stem from two main causes: a lack of education and the incorrect belief that obesity is purely a function of eating too much and exercising too little. Obesity is a complex, multifaceted condition driven by diverse biological pathways and numerous environmental factors. The aim of this course is to demystify a physiological process that has long provoked confusion and shame. This course will help physical therapists better understand what causes weight gain, why it is so difficult to lose weight, and why it is especially difficult to keep it off. This course will address a range of weight loss interventions, including pharmacotherapy such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, bariatric surgery, diet, behavioral therapy, and physical activity. An emphasis is placed on the importance of maintaining muscle mass through dietary protein and strength training to minimize the change in energy expenditure with weight loss, as well as strategies to preserve muscle mass while on GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy. Finally, it will address what physical therapists can do to reduce weight bias and stigma in their own practices.