The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) has released a new web-based edition of “The GSA KAER Toolkit for the Management of Obesity in Older Adults,” designed to help providers take a structured approach to managing the condition. The KAER acronym refers to a four-step process: kickstart the weight-management conversation; assess for overweight and obesity; evaluate treatment options; and refer for community resources.

"Obesity is increasingly recognized as a complex, multifactorial disease with impacts on metabolic, cardiovascular, and overall health," said John A. Batsis, MD, a member of the toolkit's expert advisory panel and associate professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. "Despite its prevalence, it often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated in clinical settings."

In addition to treating obesity as a chronic disease, the toolkit addresses weight bias in healthcare and personalizing assessment and treatment approaches for older adults. It emphasizes ongoing follow-up, patient readiness, and culturally sensitive care.

New content includes strategies for managing older adults who are using medications for weight management, with attention to preventing sarcopenia and nutritional deficiencies.

The toolkit was first released in 2022. This revision updates the content and adapts it for web-based use while preserving the KAER framework, and includes practical approaches, educational resources, and validated clinical tools for primary care teams, health professional educators, and students.

To access the toolkit, published on the GSA website, click here