Aims & Scope
Journal of Obesity Management (JOM) publishes evidence-based research on the clinical, behavioral, nutritional, and public health dimensions of obesity prevention and treatment across the lifespan.
Journal Positioning
Obesity affects over 650 million adults worldwide and contributes to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and numerous other chronic conditions. Effective obesity management requires integration of clinical medicine, behavioral science, nutrition, exercise physiology, and public health policy. JOM serves as a multidisciplinary platform for researchers, clinicians, dietitians, psychologists, and policymakers to advance evidence-based approaches to obesity prevention, assessment, and treatment. We prioritize research with direct clinical applicability, rigorous methodology, and potential for public health impact.
Core Research Domains
Clinical & Medical Management Tier 1
- Pathophysiology of obesity and metabolic complications
- Pharmacological interventions for weight loss (GLP-1 agonists, combination therapies)
- Bariatric and metabolic surgery outcomes and techniques
- Obesity-related comorbidities: type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, NAFLD
- Endocrine influences on weight regulation (leptin, ghrelin, insulin resistance)
- Clinical guidelines and treatment algorithms
Nutritional Science & Dietetics Tier 1
- Dietary patterns for weight management (Mediterranean, low-carb, intermittent fasting)
- Macronutrient composition and energy balance
- Nutritional interventions in clinical and community settings
- Food addiction and hedonic eating behaviors
- Meal timing, portion control, and dietary adherence strategies
- Nutritional assessment tools and biomarkers
Behavioral & Psychological Factors Tier 1
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy for weight management
- Eating disorders in obesity: binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa
- Emotional eating, stress, and psychological triggers
- Body image, weight stigma, and quality of life
- Motivational interviewing and behavior change techniques
- Psychological outcomes of bariatric surgery
Physical Activity & Lifestyle Tier 1
- Exercise prescriptions for weight loss and maintenance
- Sedentary behavior reduction strategies
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. moderate-intensity continuous training
- Resistance training and body composition changes
- Physical activity adherence and barriers
- Workplace and community-based fitness programs
Secondary Focus Areas
Epidemiology & Public Health
Global obesity trends, childhood and adolescent obesity prevalence, socioeconomic determinants, health disparities, and population-level surveillance data.
Genetics & Molecular Biology
Genetic predisposition to obesity, polygenic risk scores, epigenetic modifications, gene-environment interactions, and metabolomics of adipose tissue.
Pediatric Obesity
Prevention and treatment strategies for children and adolescents, family-based interventions, school-based programs, and developmental considerations in weight management.
Digital Health & Technology
Mobile health applications, wearable devices for activity tracking, telemedicine for weight management, artificial intelligence in obesity prediction, and digital behavior change interventions.
Policy & Environmental Interventions
Food policy and regulation, built environment and urban planning, taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages, school nutrition policies, and workplace wellness initiatives.
Special Populations
Obesity management during pregnancy and postpartum, gestational diabetes prevention, obesity in older adults, cultural considerations in weight management, and gender-specific approaches.
Emerging Research Areas
JOM selectively considers innovative research in emerging domains that show promise for obesity management but require additional validation:
- Gut microbiome manipulation for weight regulation
- Precision medicine approaches using multi-omics data
- Novel pharmacological targets (brown adipose tissue activation, mitochondrial function)
- Virtual reality and gamification for behavior change
- Circadian rhythm optimization for metabolic health
Out of Scope
Non-Obesity Endocrine Disorders
Studies focused solely on thyroid disorders (goiter, hyperthyroidism), parathyroid conditions, porphyria, or phenylketonuria without direct obesity context are not considered. Exception: Research examining these conditions as comorbidities or complications of obesity.
General Nutrition Without Obesity Focus
Manuscripts on general dietary patterns, food intolerances, antioxidants, or malnutrition unrelated to weight management fall outside our scope. We require clear connection to obesity prevention, treatment, or metabolic consequences.
Basic Physiology Unrelated to Weight
Studies on general metabolism, basal metabolic rate, or hormonal regulation (cortisol, hydrocortisone) without obesity-specific outcomes or populations are not appropriate. Research must address weight regulation mechanisms or obesity-related pathophysiology.
Eating Disorders Without Obesity
Anorexia nervosa, orthorexia, or restrictive eating disorders in normal-weight populations are outside our scope unless examining transitions to obesity or weight cycling. We focus on binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa in the context of obesity.
Unrelated Chronic Diseases
Studies on osteoarthritis, gout, infertility, or other conditions without examining obesity as a primary risk factor, treatment target, or outcome modifier are not considered. Obesity must be central to the research question.
Article Types & Priorities
High-Impact Research
- Original Research Articles (RCTs, cohort studies, case-control studies)
- Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Novel Methods & Measurement Tools
Specialized Contributions
- Short Communications (pilot studies, preliminary findings)
- Data Notes (datasets, registries, biobanks)
- Perspectives & Commentaries (by invitation or proposal)
- Technical Reports (surgical techniques, protocols)
Limited Acceptance
- Case Reports (only exceptional cases with novel insights)
- Opinion Pieces (must be evidence-based, not purely speculative)
- Narrative Reviews (systematic reviews preferred)
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- CONSORT for RCTs
- STROBE for observational studies
- PRISMA for systematic reviews
- ARRIVE for animal studies
- STARD for diagnostic accuracy
Data Policy
- Data availability statement required
- Raw data sharing encouraged
- Clinical trial registration mandatory
- Protocol publication supported
Ethics Requirements
- IRB/Ethics committee approval
- Informed consent documentation
- Animal welfare compliance (IACUC)
- Conflict of interest disclosure
Preprint Policy
- Preprints accepted (medRxiv, bioRxiv)
- Must disclose preprint DOI
- Peer review independent of preprint
- Version control maintained
Decision Metrics & Author Information
Ready to Submit?
If your research aligns with our scope and meets our methodological standards, we invite you to submit your manuscript for peer review.
Submit Your Manuscript
