Not All Obesity is the Same: Rare Genetic Obesity

The goal of this intermediate training is to provide healthcare professionals in Canada with an educational and accessible learning experience that enhances their understanding of rare forms of obesity and equips them to engage patients in discussions about their weight in a sensitive and patient-centered manner. The training covers key areas, beginning with an exploration of the different types of obesity, including polygenic and rare monogenic forms, followed by an in-depth focus on the leptin-melanocortin pathway and the clinical characteristics of syndromic and monogenic obesity. The program will highlight a perspective from patients and/or caregivers, providing insight into the impact of these rare diseases on quality of life and daily living.

• Identify rare forms of obesity, including polygenic and monogenic forms and describe their underlying biologic mechanisms.
• Explain the role of the leptin-melanocortin pathway and its impairment in rare forms of obesity, as well as the characteristics of syndromic and monogenic obesity.
• Identify key recommendations from clinical practice guidelines related to the use of genetic.
• Compare different genetic testing methods and tools, assessing their effectiveness and limitations in diagnosing specific obesity-related syndromes.