Equity and Obesity Treatment — Expanding Medicaid-Covered Interventions

Obesity is a complex medical condition influenced by genetics, environment, and psychosocial factors, yet treatment often focuses narrowly on calorie restriction and physical activity. This perspective highlights the limitations of such approaches, particularly within Medicaid, which serves populations disproportionately affected by obesity. Despite evidence supporting comprehensive lifestyle interventions and FDA approved pharmacotherapies, Medicaid coverage remains inconsistent, with only six states covering all treatment components as of 2017. The authors advocate for expanded Medicaid coverage to include multimodal treatments, such as intensive behavioral therapy and antiobesity medications (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists), to address health inequities. They emphasize the need for cost effective strategies and further research to justify long term investments in these interventions.

Obesity is a complex medical condition influenced by genetics, environment, and psychosocial factors, yet treatment often focuses narrowly on calorie restriction and physical activity. This perspective highlights the limitations of such approaches, particularly within Medicaid, which serves populations disproportionately affected by obesity. Despite evidence supporting comprehensive lifestyle interventions and FDA approved pharmacotherapies, Medicaid coverage remains inconsistent, with only six states covering all treatment components as of 2017. The authors advocate for expanded Medicaid coverage to include multimodal treatments, such as intensive behavioral therapy and antiobesity medications (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists), to address health inequities. They emphasize the need for cost effective strategies and further research to justify long term investments in these interventions.