The Obesity Society

What The Obesity Society does

The Obesity Society (TOS), legally NAASO, The Obesity Society, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional membership society founded in 1982 and headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. It is the leading scientific authority in obesity research, prevention, and treatment, serving approximately 2,800 members worldwide including basic and clinical researchers, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dietitians, educators, and students. The society operates across four primary functional areas: peer-reviewed scientific publishing, professional education and certification support, annual scientific conferencing, and policy/advocacy.

TOS's core technology stack is a publishing and educational content platform centered on the flagship peer-reviewed Obesity journal (4.7 Impact Factor, 3.8 million annual full-text views), published in partnership with Wiley, and an affiliated open-access journal, Obesity Science & Practice, co-published with the World Obesity Federation. Member-facing products include the ObesityWeek annual conference (the world's largest scientific meeting on obesity), the on-demand ABOM Review Course supporting American Board of Obesity Medicine certification, monthly Grand Rounds webinars, Coffee with the Expert mentoring sessions, regional Best Practices in Obesity Management workshops delivered through AANP and AAPA channels, the Dialogues in Obesity podcast, and a Member Suite-based membership portal. A searchable Obesity Care Provider Directory and a fee-based career center round out the platform.

The revenue model is multi-stream and typical of a learned society: annual membership dues across tiered categories (Regular $240, Post-Graduate Trainee $80, Graduate/Medical Student renewal $25 with optional journal access at $60, Emeritus and Undergraduate Student free), transaction-based conference and ObesityWeek registration/exhibits/sponsorship revenue, journal publishing royalties through Wiley, fee-based continuing education (ABOM Review Course, Best Practices workshops, on-demand education, up to 60+ CME credits available), job posting fees ($300 for 30 days, $500 for 60 days, free for qualifying member-posted positions), and donations plus unrestricted and educational grants from pharmaceutical sponsors. Pricing is published, transparent, and annual/transaction-based rather than enterprise-contract-based.

Name

The Obesity Society

Legal name

NAASO, The Obesity Society, Inc.

Website

https://obesity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Obesity Society is a 501(c)(3) professional membership society serving approximately 2,800 researchers, clinicians, educators, and students worldwide through the peer-reviewed Obesity journal, the annual ObesityWeek conference, CME-accredited education, awards and grants, and obesity-care advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Scientific Society Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Periodical Publishers (51312)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Thyroid Disorders (HLAKADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Weight Management & Behavior Change Education (EDAAAHAF)

Keywords

• Professional medical society
• Obesity research
• Medical education programs
• Scientific publishing
• Annual medical conference

Headquarters

HQ city

Silver Spring

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from approximately 2,800 members worldwide across multiple categories including Regular, Post-Graduate Trainee, Student, and Emeritus members.
2. Conference Revenue: ObesityWeek annual conference generates revenue through registration fees, exhibits, and sponsorships.
3. Journal Publishing: Revenue from journal subscriptions and publication fees through partnership with Wiley for Obesity journal and affiliated journals.
4. Education Programs: Revenue from ABOM Review Course, professional development programs, and educational workshops including the Best Practices in Obesity Management series.
5. Job Postings: Fee-based job posting service on the TOS careers platform - $300 for 30 days, $500 for 60 days. Free for TOS members posting postdoctoral and similar positions.
6. Donations and Sponsorships: Donations through Founders' Circle program, corporate sponsorships, and educational grants from pharmaceutical companies for CME programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Obesity Society (TOS) is a 501(c)(3) professional scientific society that sells individual memberships, hosts the annual ObesityWeek conference, publishes the peer-reviewed Obesity journal and affiliated titles through Wiley, and delivers accredited continuing medical education programs (Grand Rounds, ABOM Review Course, Best Practices Workshops, On-Demand Education, MASLD program, Dialogues in Obesity Podcast). Its products and services are sold primarily to individual healthcare professionals—researchers, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dietitians, educators, and students—who join the society, attend ObesityWeek, or purchase CME-eligible education to advance obesity science, prevention, and treatment.

Product overview

The Obesity Society (TOS) is a professional membership society offering a portfolio of interconnected products and services centered on obesity science, education, and clinical care. The core offerings include the Obesity Journal (flagship peer-reviewed publication), ObesityWeek (annual international conference), and ABOM Review Course (board exam preparation). TOS provides comprehensive education through Grand Rounds, Best Practices Workshops, On-Demand Education, and specialized programs like MASLD in Obesity. Membership benefits include access to eight professional Sections, the Obesity Care Provider Directory, career resources, and grant/award programs. The society also publishes Obesity Science & Practice (affiliated open-access journal) and provides free educational resources like the Clinical Management of Obesity Pocket Guide and the Dialogues in Obesity Podcast. Together, these offerings serve researchers, clinicians, educators, and students working in obesity prevention, treatment, and advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ObesityWeek: Annual conference - the world's largest scientific meeting on obesity
• Obesity Journal

Products and services

• TOS Membership Annual membership in the world's largest scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity (approximately 2,800 members worldwide), providing researchers, clinicians, educators, and students with access to journals, networking, awards, and discounted education programs.
• Obesity Journal Peer-reviewed scientific journal providing groundbreaking research and commentary across clinical research, biology, integrated physiology, pediatrics, epidemiology, and genetics related to obesity, published in print and online formats with member access included.
• ObesityWeek Annual scientific conference covering all aspects of obesity from bench to bedside and the entire continuum of care, bringing together scientists, clinicians, behaviorists, epidemiologists, surgeons, policymakers, and other experts through registration, exhibits, and sponsorships.
• ABOM Review Course On-demand CME-accredited review course for physicians preparing for the American Board of Obesity Medicine certification exam, offering 15 CME credits and ABIM MOC points through TOS partnership with ABOM.
• Grand Rounds Monthly educational webinar series featuring expert speakers on obesity research and clinical practice, available free for TOS members and used to confer Group One CME credits required for ABOM exam eligibility.
• Best Practices in Obesity Management Program Blended-learning program educating primary care providers on best practices for caring for patients with obesity, combining live regional workshops at NP/PA conferences with live webinars.
• On-Demand Education Collection of on-demand educational modules providing in-depth coverage of essential aspects of obesity, enabling clinicians to learn from opinion leaders and access the latest treatment and research information.
• MASLD in Obesity Program Specialized educational program equipping clinicians with practical, evidence-based strategies for early detection, diagnosis, and management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in patients with obesity.
• Dialogues in Obesity Podcast Clinician-focused audio podcast series featuring expert-led conversations that translate current obesity science and clinical guidelines into practical, evidence-based strategies for patient care.
• Professional Development Program: Obesity Management in Primary Care Training Online self-paced training program (up to 10 CME credits/ABIM MOC points) with live webinar coaching calls, building foundational tools and knowledge for primary care obesity management.
• Obesity Science & Practice Open-access peer-reviewed journal co-published with the World Obesity Federation, offering research on new medical, behavioral, dietary, pharmacologic, and surgical approaches to obesity treatment.
• TOS Career Center (Job Board) Online career center for posting obesity-related positions, with fee-based postings for non-members ($300/30 days, $500/60 days) and free postings for TOS members submitting qualifying academic positions.
• Obesity Care Provider Directory Searchable public directory of qualified obesity care providers enabling patient referrals, free for TOS clinician members who list their practice.
• TOS Sections Eight member-driven professional communities (Basic Science, Clinical Science, Behavioral Science, Clinical Practice, Bariatric Surgery and Devices, Pediatric Obesity, Population Science and Public Health, and Neuroscience) that provide focused networking and engagement within the broader society membership.
• TOS Early Career Research Grant Grant program offering up to $25,000 in one-year funding for early-career investigators to foster and stimulate new research ideas in obesity science.
• TOS Fellows Program (FTOS) Fellowship designation (FTOS) awarded to members who have made significant contributions to the field of obesity research, treatment, and prevention; confers professional recognition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.7 Impact Factor for Obesity journal (2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• WileycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWiley is the publishing partner for the Obesity journal and affiliated journals (Obesity Science & Practice, Obesity Reviews, Clinical Obesity, Pediatric Obesity). Wiley handles journal production, distribution, and hosting of the online platform. TOS members receive full online access to Obesity journal.
• World Obesity Federation (WOF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOS members automatically receive membership in the World Obesity Federation. TOS co-publishes Obesity Science & Practice journal with WOF and provides access to and discounted subscriptions for other WOF journals.
• American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOS offers a highly-rated review course for the ABOM exam. Both the course and ObesityWeek confer the Group One CME credits required for ABOM exam eligibility. TOS is a key partner in obesity medicine certification.
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTOS partners with AANP and other NP/PA associations for Best Practices in Obesity Management workshops delivered at regional conferences.
• American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTOS partners with AAPA and state-level PA associations for Best Practices in Obesity Management workshops delivered at regional conferences.
• Eli Lilly and CompanyminorOthersEducational grant provider for the Clinical Insights for Obesity Management webinar and other educational programs. Also provided grant for the Clinical Management of Obesity - Third Edition eBook (Pocket Guide).
• Novo NordiskminorOthersEducational grant provider for TOS webinars including the Clinical Insights for Obesity Management webinar and Coffee with the Expert sessions.
• AmgenminorOthersEducational grant provider for Best Practices in Obesity Management workshops.
• Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.minorOthersEducational grant provider for Best Practices in Obesity Management workshops and Coffee with the Expert sessions.
• Zealand Pharma A/SminorOthersEducational grant provider for Best Practices in Obesity Management workshops.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMS partnered with TOS for a webinar on quality measurement and obesity management, focusing on how quality measurement can drive improvements in obesity care and patient outcomes.
• Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for ICOMES 2025 (International Congress on Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome) listed on TOS calendar.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)coreOthersNIH courses and symposia are featured on TOS calendar including Mathematical Sciences in Obesity Research Course and NIDDK Clinical Methods for Nutrition and Obesity Research Course. TOS collaborates with NIH on education and research initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Diabetes Association: Major health professional society with overlapping concerns around obesity and metabolic disease; attracts the same clinician audience for diabetes and obesity-related education, publications, and conferences.
• American Heart Association: Large cardiovascular health professional society addressing obesity as a cardiovascular risk factor; overlaps with TOS on cardiometabolic research and clinician education, particularly through TOS's CMS quality measurement work.
• The Endocrine Society: Large endocrinology professional society with significant obesity-related research and clinical content given the metabolic underpinnings; competes with TOS for endocrinology researchers and clinicians focused on obesity.
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Professional society for registered dietitian nutritionists with significant obesity and weight management content; competes for nutritionists, dietitians, and educators that TOS also targets through its Clinical Practice section.

Emerging players

• Society of Behavioral Medicine: Multidisciplinary society focused on behavioral medicine research, with overlap in TOS's Behavioral Science section and lifestyle intervention content for obesity.

Others

• American Board of Obesity Medicine: Certification body for obesity medicine physicians; a critical ecosystem partner for TOS through its ABOM Review Course and CME offerings, but not a competing professional society.
• National Academy of Medicine: Advisory organization influencing obesity policy and clinical guidelines; provides broader scientific and policy infrastructure that intersects with TOS's advocacy and guideline dissemination work.

Direct peers

• World Obesity Federation: Global non-profit organization dedicated to obesity research, policy, and education; co-publisher of Obesity Science & Practice with TOS and grants TOS members reciprocal membership. Most directly comparable as a parallel professional society focused exclusively on obesity.
• Obesity Action Coalition: National non-profit advocating for people affected by obesity; while more advocacy- and patient-focused than TOS's research/clinician orientation, it operates in the same obesity space with overlapping membership and policy goals.
• American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: Largest professional society for bariatric surgeons and integrated health professionals treating obesity; overlaps with TOS's Bariatric Surgery and Devices section and competes for the same clinician audience on the surgical treatment side.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ObesitySociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheObesitySociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Obesity Society