Why the obesity field needs more peer reviewers
The global scientific community is currently facing a silent crisis: the exhaustion of the traditional peer review system. The World Obesity journals (Obesity Reviews, Clinical Obesity, Pediatric Obesity, and Obesity Science & Practice), even as leading journals in the field, are not immune from this. Our journal editors frequently must issue multiple invitations just to secure two willing reviewers.
For obesity journals, this bottleneck is particularly acute as obesity research is expanding rapidly, transitioning into a massive, multidisciplinary field encompassing genetics, pharmacology, behavioural psychology, clinical medicine and public health policy. The advent of AI-assisted writing of papers (perhaps especially systematic reviews) also poses challenges. To maintain scientific integrity and keep pace with this expansion, we urgently need to attract a new generation of peer reviewers to our obesity journals.
Why become a reviewer?
It requires excellent critical appraisal skills that can be further enhanced by being part of the peer review process. As a reviewer, you will see your colleagues’ reviews, the authors’ rebuttals and the editors’ decisions. All of this can be of enormous help, giving you unparalleled insight into what to do (and what not to do) when it comes to writing and submitting your own research papers for publication.
Reviewing also allows you to stay at the forefront of emerging obesity research and contribute directly to the quality and integrity of the evidence that informs obesity prevention, treatment and policy worldwide. Every review plays an important role in strengthening the scientific evidence base.
OUR JOURNALS
Reviewers receive recognition of their voluntary efforts through Web of Science (formerly Publons) and integration into their ORCID account, which can be linked to the Wiley editorial platform. World Obesity is also looking at how we can offer small financial incentives and discounts for our most active reviewers.
We welcome expressions of interest from researchers and clinicians at all career stages, including early-career professionals looking to gain greater insight into the publication process and develop their critical appraisal skills.
A blog by Dr Nick Finer, Chair of Publications Committee and previous Editor in Chief of Clinical Obesity:
Interested in becoming a reviewer?
Click here to express your interest and join our community of academics, clinicians and experts who are actively helping to advance obesity science and increase sound obesity knowledge.
Submitting your details does not commit you to accepting every review invitation. Our editorial teams will use the information provided to match manuscripts to your areas of expertise, and invitations can be accepted or declined according to your availability and interests.
Apply here