Research priorities for psychosocial interventions in obesity care: Outcomes from a Canadian research summit

Psychosocial and behavioural interventions are a core pillar of obesity care alongside metabolic and bariatric surgery and pharmacotherapy. However, research priorities to advance psychosocial obesity care have not yet been systematically identified in Canada.

To identify national research priorities for psychosocial and behavioural interventions in obesity care from Canadian knowledge users.

This was a Canadian research priority-setting consultation conducted through the virtual National Obesity Psychosocial Research Summit in September 2024. Participants included researchers, clinicians, administrators, and people with lived experience (PWLE) across Canada (N = 48). Summit attendees discussed current research priorities in psychosocial obesity care in breakout discussions followed by plenary report-backs. Facilitator notes and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis to generate priority areas. Participants subsequently ranked priorities in an online survey.

Six research priority areas were identified for psychosocial interventions in obesity care: (1) establishing systems that improve the quality and rigor of behavioural research; (2) addressing weight stigma and environmental determinants of outcomes; (3) developing consensus around research measures that evaluate the impact of behavioural treatments on outcomes other than weight (e.g., quality of life, pain reduction); (4) advancing precision-based and culturally responsive care approaches; (5) improving public, patient, and provider education regarding psychosocial care; and (6) expanding study designs and delivery modalities to enhance accessibility and scalability.

These six priorities provide a roadmap to guide collaboration, funding, and implementation efforts to strengthen psychosocial care in obesity management.