Starting a new year gives us another chance to plan, look ahead and think optimistically about what the future holds for obesity in America. Reflecting on changes in 2011 and what's in store for 2012, we see areas of great progress, but also areas where that progress is met with great challenges.

Insurance coverage is set to expand under the Affordable Care Act, which means more people with overweight and obesity will be entering the health care system. Access to health care professionals will increase, but with 72 percent of primary care physicians' offices lacking training in weight issues, the chances of effectively caring for the influx of patients with overweight and obesity are slim. There is increased understanding among state leaders about the health and economic impacts of obesity, yet tight budgets hinder potential funding for weight-related initiatives.  And even as the dialogue surrounding obesity has evolved to include greater understanding of the role of the environment, there is still a significant lack of understanding about prevention, treatment and personal responsibility. 

I am encouraged by how the landscape around weight-related issues continues to shift in a positive direction.  More and more, we see obesity being recognized as a matter of health, not appearance.  We hear experts note that personal responsibility is not the sole reason for, or solution to, obesity.  And we move closer to acceptance of 5-10 percent sustained weight loss as a standard definition of success. This is significant.

Certainly the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services decision to cover screening and related behavioral counseling for people with obesity is a promising indicator of ways society more generally may decide to address the issue.

I'm pleased that STOP has contributed to these important shifts through thoughtful research, coalition activities and recommendations. The Alliance's Task Force on Women has driven a robust discussion surrounding how to have productive conversations about weight-related chronic disease through its Pounds & Policy recommendations for media and policymakers. From a policy perspective, the Alliance compiled and released data on timely issues such as the role of community health centers in addressing obesity; researched challenges at the state-level in curbing obesity; and updated its policy recommendations to reflect the growing evidence that shows the importance of physical activity to maintain and improve health.

The year ahead promises to be ripe with opportunities for effecting positive change--the Alliance looks forward to continuing the dialogue around these critical health issues and contributing to better-informed approaches for addressing obesity and weight-related chronic diseases like diabetes.

Sincerely, 

Director, STOP Obesity Alliance

Professor, School of Public Health and Health Services

Department of Health Policy

The George Washington University

STOP Obesity Alliance and Canyon Ranch Institute (CRI) were featured in the newest edition of the IDEA Fitness Journal, the official publication of the IDEA Health and Wellness Association. The article highlights CRI's Life Enhancement Program and STOP's recommendations on physical activity. Click here to read the article.

The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) added 45 member groups making 2011 its 11th-straight year of growth. AMGA encompasses more than 400 medical groups, independent practice associations and integrated delivery systems representing nearly 125,000 physicians. Click here for more information.

Alliance Policy Advisor Morgan Downey authored a post on STOP's "Weighing In" blog responding to the recent research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that reported no significant changes to obesity rates in the past 12 years. Morgan examines what this study really means for the obesity epidemic. Click here to read the blog post.

Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) will now offer a new membership category for individuals to join. The organization also offers membership categories designed for professionals and physicians. Click here for more information or to become a member.

Lisa W. Martin, M.D., F.A.C.C. recently joined the Alliance as an Associate Member. Dr. Martin is the director for the Lipid Research Clinic and Cardiac Prevention Clinic at The George Washington University. Previously, Dr. Martin was the medical director for the cholesterol management and cardiac prevention programs at Kaiser Permanente in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Learn more about her here.

Sister to Sister will host, "The Importance of Chronic Disease Prevention and Controlling Risk Factors," in Washington, D.C. on February 7. Elizabeth Kucinich, the Director of Public Affairs for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, will moderate the panel which will include William Bestermann, MD, President of the COSEHC Cardiovascular Centers of Excellence and Director of Medical Home Quality at the Holston Medical Group and Scott Kahan, MD, MPH, of The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, among others. Click here for more information.

American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) will host its Preventive Medicine 2012 conference February 22-25 in Orlando, Fla. This year's theme is "Healthy Families, Healthy Communities," and discussion topics are organized in three tracks: Clinical Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine, Public Health Practice and Prevention Policy. Click here for more information.

BEDA Hosts Annual National Conference

Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) will hold its 2012 National Conference from March 2-4 in Philadelphia, Pa. Topics will include weight stigma, bariatric surgery and food addiction theory. Click here for more information.

A study published in the journal Obesity reports that overweight or obese physicians were less likely than normal-weight physicians to diagnose their patients as obese. The study found that the probability of a normal-weight doctor recording an obesity diagnosis for an obese patient was 93 percent versus 17 percent for overweight or obese doctors.

Obesity Rates in U.S. Appear to Be Finally Leveling Off

January 17, 2012
Los Angeles Times
By Shari Roan

The prevalence of obesity among adult men and women increased only slightly in 2009-10 compared to the 2003-08 period, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Study researchers emphasized that although obesity rates may be leveling off overall, disparities among specific racial and ethnic groups remain.

Young Women Unknowingly Pack on the Pounds

January 12, 2012
Everyday Health
By Annie Hauser

A study published in the Journal of Women's Health found that a significant number of women were unable to recognize small weight gains between 4.5 and 8.8 pounds over a six-month period. Some subgroups, however, were more likely to be aware of weight gain than others, including black women and women who used the birth control shot DMPA.

Although obesity has replaced smoking as the leading cause of preventable death, the article outlines emerging trends for 2012 that could lead to a positive turning point in fighting obesity from healthy exercise and food developments to institutional shifts and innovations in research and technology.

Georgia's Shocking Anti-Obesity Ad Campaign

January 3, 2012
The Washington Post
By Sarah Kliff

A recent advertising campaign in Georgia aimed at fighting childhood obesity features images of obese children with taglines like "Warning: fat prevention begins at home. And the buffet line," or "It's hard to be a little girl. If you're not." The article notes that the controversial campaign has drawn criticism from public health advocates, who argue that the messages in the ads may backfire and increase stigma against overweight children.

Study: Weight-Loss Surgery Can Cut Deaths From Heart Attacks, Strokes

January 3, 2012

NPR

By Patti Neighmond

In the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden report that patients who undergo bariatric surgery experience health benefits such as weight loss and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular causes, including heart attacks and strokes. The study also found that bariatric surgery patients had less heart disease, diabetes and cancer than their obese counterparts who didn't have the surgery.

The Fat Trap

December 28, 2011
The New York Times
By Tara Parker-Pope

Tara Parker-Pope shares her personal struggles with weight loss and examines past studies that may offer insights regarding why some people have trouble keeping weight off. Specifically, the article highlights findings from a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine that suggests biological and hormonal changes that occur when people initially lose weight may hinder sustained weight loss.