Resources for Healthcare Professionals

TOPS Club, Inc. is a nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss support organization. In an industry filled with quick fixes and fad diets, TOPS is an affordable and evidence-based program that encourages members to make small, steady lifestyle changes that provide lasting weight loss and better health.

Woman and doctor
We are a network of thousands of weight-loss support groups (called chapters) in every U.S. state and Canadian province. TOPS is also on the forefront of obesity and metabolic research.

Resources for Your Patients and Clients

Free Resources

Free TOPS information
  • TOPS lifestyle guide, Real Life, contains 300+ color pages of the latest nutrition, fitness and medical information.
  • Literature to refer your overweight, diabetic or bariatric clients to TOPS. We're nonprofit, noncommercial, and scientifically proven to be as effective as other weight loss programs but more affordable.
  • Wellness news and tips available to reprint in patient education handouts, websites and blogs, and newsletters
  • Information for starting an on-site weight-loss support chapter for patients and/or community members
Request these free resources

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Proof It Works

Evidence-Based Weight Loss

Research finds TOPS helps members experience clinically significant weight loss—and helps them keep it off. Visit the following to learn more:

TOPS Supports Research

TOPS is on the forefront of obesity and metabolic research and has donated more than $9 million toward research at the TOPS Center for Obesity and Metabolic Research.  Learn more about our ongoing support of obesity research at TOPS Nutrition and Obesity Research Center.


TOPS Research Achievement Award: The Obesity Society

Each year, in cooperation with The Obesity Society, TOPS recognizes a scientist who has made major contributions to the field of obesity research at the annual ObesityWeek conference. At the 2022 event, TOPS Board of Directors member Karen Tinlin presented the TOPS Research Achievement Award to Dr. I. Sadaf Farooqi.

2022 Winner – Dr. I. Sadaf Farooqi

Dr. I. Sadaf Farooqi is a Clinician Scientist and Wellcome Principal Research Fellow at the Wellcome–MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, in the United Kingdom. Dr. Farooqi is distinguished for her discoveries in what exactly controls weight regulation in the human body. Along with colleagues, she discovered the first genes whose disruption causes severe obesity.

There’s something in the body called the leptin-melanocortin axis – and Dr. Farooqi’s work on the physiological consequences of disrupting this axis, has changed how scientists understand human eating behaviors – and established that the main driver of obesity is a failure of the central control of appetite. Dr. Farooqi has played a leading role nationally and internationally in the development of clinical guidelines and governmental policy, related to obesity.

“She is an articulate, brilliant and creative member of the obesity research community,” said George A. Bray, MD, from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in a letter nominating Farooqi for the TOPS award. “I have known Dr. Farooqi since the early 1990s, when her classic work on (a) leptin-deficient Pakistani family was published, and have admired her work ever since.”

Dr. Farooqi’s work in this arena has spanned more than two decades. She has been published extensively in leading journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, Science, and Cell Metabolism.


Previous Winners

  • Steven R. Smith, MD, FTOS - 2021
  • John Speakman, Ph.D, FTOS - 2020
  • Dympa Gallagher, Ed.D. – 2019
  • Michael Rosenbaum, M.D. – 2018
  • Christos S. Mantzoros, M.D. – 2017
  • Roger D. Cone, Ph.D – 2016
  • Andrew S. Greenberg, M.D. – 2015
  • Michael Goran, Ph.D. – 2014
  • Stephen O'Rahilly, M.D. – 2013
  • Thomas A. Wadden, Ph.D. – 2012
  • Samuel Klein, M.D. – 2011
  • Michael D. Jensen, M.D. – 2010
  • David B. Allison, Ph.D. – 2009
  • Walter J. Pories, M.D. – 2008

TOPS New Investigator Research Award: Obesity Canada

TOPS presents a research award every other year at the Canadian Obesity Summit to a recipient selected by Obesity Canada (formerly Canadian Obesity Network). Additionally, in the off-year, TOPS donates two scholarships to Obesity Canada's new researcher boot camp.

2021 Winner — Annalijin Conklin, PhD, RD.

The most recent recipient is Dr. Annalijin Conklin, PhD, RD, Assistant Professor in UBC’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and a Scientist in the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcomes Sciences at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Dr. Conklin also sits on the Clinical Adults Committee. A member of TOPS' Field Staff, Judy Chaffin, presented the award in Whistler, British Columbia.

With a diverse academic background spanning health policy, epidemiology, public health, life sciences, and philosophy, Dr. Conklin holds degrees from the University of Toronto (Hon.B.Sc.), Edinburgh (Research M.Sc.), Columbia University (MPH), Cambridge University (PhD), and UCLA (Postdoctorate).

Dr. Conklin leads a program of policy-focused social epidemiology and outcomes research, to improve the prevention, treatment and outcomes of cardio-metabolic conditions. Notably, her focus encompasses obesity and gender-related disparities. She leads a dedicated team engaged in various projects centered around obesity research. One of these projects, funded by the CIHR, is exploring how social connections influence BMI and waist circumference among older Canadian women and men using data from a national cohort called the CLSA.

Dr. Conklin's research addresses gaps in understanding obesity's social drivers and gender disparities, offering insights crucial for targeted interventions. Her multidisciplinary approach aids decision-makers, providers and public health efforts, fostering healthier lives for Canadians.


Previous Winners

  • Laurie Twells, Ph.D. – 2019
  • Mary A. Forhan, Ph.D. – 2017
  • Jennifer L. Kuk, Ph.D. – 2015
  • Dr. Valerie Taylor, M.D., Ph.D. – 2013

Endorsements from Healthcare Professionals

Doctor hands

TOPS is a wonderful organization and helps with the support that individuals need to make positive lifestyle changes. -Holly W., RN, CDE, Florida

As a dietitian, I am so grateful for TOPS. I know the programs have helped many people achieve physical goals as well as improved quality of life and new positive relationships. -Amy E., MPH, RD, LD, Birmingham, Alabama

Partner Spotlight


The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is a national nonprofit dedicated to elevating and empowering those affected by obesity through education, advocacy and support. Find more about the OAC here.

Learn more about our partners.

TOPS logo for genome project

TOPS Genome Registry

Find out about this next generation research.

Real Life Book

Real Life: The Hands-on Pounds-Off Guide

Real Life is 300+ full-color pages of the latest nutrition, fitness, motivational, and medical information available to help you create and sustain a healthy lifestyle that works for you.

Amazon Review
Available to anyone on Amazon. Member only discount available in TOPS Store.