Uncovering Gaps in Obesity Medicine Competencies: Insights from Ten U.S. Medical Schools

Authors

• Magdalena Pasarica
• Robert F Kushner
• Angelina V Leary
• Monica Agarwal
• Dee-Ann Carpenter
• Colleen Croniger
• Ricardo Correa
• Eduardo Grunvald
• Mark S Johnson
• Julie Loza
• Andrew Mock
• Amber Olson
• Jonathan Purnell
• Kim Pfotenhauer
• Virginia Uhley, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Faculty
• Sadie Trammell Velasquez
• Amanda Velazquez
• B Gabriel Smolarz

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2026

Publication Title

Med Sci Educ

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Competency-based obesity medicine education is critically needed in undergraduate medical training, as emphasized by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Using a competency-based framework, we identified key gaps in obesity education across ten diverse U.S. medical schools. Each institution formed a working group to conduct a gap analysis of the curriculum based on 32 obesity medicine competencies recognized by the obesity medicine fellowship council. The least-addressed domains were Practice-Based Learning and Improvement and Systems-Based Practice, accounting for nine of the ten least-covered competencies. Additional gaps were noted in clinical skills and bias awareness. Most schools were relying on passive teaching methods and limited assessment. Findings highlight opportunities to develop shared, scalable resources to strengthen and standardize obesity medicine education nationwide.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-026-02646-2.

Volume

36

Issue

2

First Page

539

Last Page

544

Recommended Citation

Pasarica M, Kushner RF, Leary AV, et al. Uncovering Gaps in Obesity Medicine Competencies: Insights from Ten U.S. Medical Schools. Med Sci Educ. 2026;36(2):539-544. Published 2026 Jan 24. doi:10.1007/s40670-026-02646-2

DOI

10.1007/s40670-026-02646-2

ISSN

2156-8650

PubMed ID

42183432