As I reflect on recent developments in the obesity landscape, the phrase "Obesity 2.0" keeps coming to mind.  If we borrow the meaning from the technology world, the era of "Obesity 2.0" would suggest that we are in the midst of a major paradigm shift when it comes to thinking about obesity.  We are upgrading our understanding of the science, increasing efforts around systems integration and developing new tools for a common platform.  Indeed, there are many changes afoot. 

Perhaps the most important place to start is the paradigm shift in recognizing obesity as a matter of health, not appearance.  A recent survey showed that "81 percent of U.S. adults now say that obesity is an extremely or very serious problem."  This increased awareness regarding the seriousness of obesity, including how it can be the gateway to multiple chronic diseases, is an integral part of understanding the condition and the need for us to overcome and prevent it.

We have seen this urgency echoed by recent recommendations by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and guidelines put forth by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).  The IOM "Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention" report embraces the notion of "systems integration" by recommending that we address the epidemic across all areas of influence from the workplace to our communities, from schools to our homes.  At a recent Alliance member meeting, IOM study co-director Lynn Parker provided details of the IOM's report that reviewed and consolidated key learnings from more than 800 obesity recommendations that had been developed over the past decade.  No small task!

From this research, the IOM landed on five goals: 

1. Integrate Physical Activity Every Day in Every Way
2. Market What Matters for a Healthy Life
3. Make Healthy Foods and Beverages Available Everywhere
4. Activate Employers and Health Care Professionals
5. Strengthen Schools as the Heart of Health

Parker said, "If we really want to accelerate progress, all these actions need to come together. We need to be reaching across and working together."

If there's a better rationale for systems integration, I don't know it.

The USPSTF's new guidelines also focused on obesity prevention and treatment, recommending that all adults should be screened for obesity.  Those adults that are diagnosed with obesity should then be offered at least 12 weeks of intensive lifestyle counseling. 

Just like Web 2.0 is a platform for countless tools, we've seen in recent weeks the upgraded understanding of obesity serving as a platform for new tools becoming available for providers.  The approval of two obesity treatments in less than a month marked the first time in more than a decade that new obesity medication will be available.  Having more tools can help clinicians work with their patients to find the specific approach necessary to improve health. 

With momentum building and development of treatments underway, it will be increasingly important to multiply the rate of change among the provider community.  Limited training in obesity among the primary care provider community is one thing that may hinder all this forward progress.  Yet, there are upcoming opportunities to address this as well, including the first American Board of Obesity Medicine Certification Exam taking place this fall, which I will be taking. 

As a physician who has practiced obesity medicine for many years, I encourage my colleagues to learn more about these exciting new developments.  And, of course, I am excited about the possibilities to come in the era of Obesity 2.0.   While the crisis is still present, there is much hope on the horizon.

Sincerely,

 

Several Alliance Steering Committee and Associate Members were featured in news stories this month including:

• Alliance Director Scott Kahan, MD, MPH in MyHealthNewsDaily.com, "Is Obesity a Disease? Doctors Debate" and NPR, "FDA Approves First New Weight-Loss Drug in More Than a Decade." 
• American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association in ABC News, "Fake Sweeteners Might Help Keep Pounds Off."
• American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in MedPage Today, "Video Report: Obesity, a Hard Nut to Crack."
• America's Health Insurance Plans and National Business Group on Health in Kaiser Health News, "New Guidelines on Obesity Treatment Herald Changes in Coverage."
• The Obesity Society in NPR, "Doctors Hesitant to Deal with Patients' Weight Problems."
• Rebecca Puhl, PhD in The New Haven Register, "When it Comes to Weight Loss Words Can Hurt, Yale Study Finds."
• Virginia Department of Health, Central Virginia Health District in The News & Advance, "Lynchburg Issues 100 Mile Challenge."

More than 65,000 employees from more than 140 organizations participated in the fourth annual National Employee Wellness Month (NEWM). This year's NEWM was sponsored by Virgin HealthMiles in partnership with STOP, the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease and WorldatWork. Participating organizations included STOP founding sponsor Sanofi US as well as STOP members American College of Preventive Medicine, American Diabetes Association, American Medical Women's Association, American Sleep Apnea Association, American Society of Bariatric Physicians, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, Healthcare Leadership Council, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Obesity Action Coalition, OWL - The Voice of Midlife and Older Women and WomenHeart. Thanks to all for your participation!

OAC Announces Next Obesity Webinar

Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) and Obesity Prevention, Policy and Management continue a free online 14-part webinar series focusing on the complexities of obesity. The next webinar, "Obesity: Community and Lifestyle Planning," will take place September 13 and will outline tactical approaches to supporting community change and overcoming challenges presented by one's immediate environments. Click here to register. 

 
Members Applaud FDA for Approving Qsymia

The American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP), the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the Obesity Care Continuum (OCC), comprised of STOP members Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), The Obesity Society (TOS) and ASMBS released statements applauding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approving Qsymia, a new obesity treatment medication developed by Vivus, Inc. The organizations emphasized the need for a variety of obesity treatments and noted that the FDA's decision continues a welcome, new trend toward parity for the millions of Americans with obesity who seek access to safe evidence-based treatment. Click here to read the joint statement from ASBP and ASMBS. Click here to read the OCC statement. 

ABOM Develops Practice Exam

The American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) developed a practice examination available to obesity medicine candidates. The Sample Test Questions give candidates the opportunity to review an example of content included in the Certification Examination for Obesity Medicine Physicians and to learn more about the exam's question format, style and level of difficulty. Click here to learn more.  

The article spotlights the emerging role of the "health coach," whose job is to help patients make lifestyle behavioral changes including incorporating exercise, eating healthy meals and managing stress into their daily lives. While health coaches are rare in the medical field, they are becoming more popular with chronic and often preventable diseases like Type 2 diabetes on the rise. The article notes that experts expect the field to grow in light of Medicare reimbursing up to 20 obesity counseling sessions a year.

Most U.S. Adults Say Obesity is Serious

July 19, 2012
United Press International

According to a new Gallup poll, 81 percent of U.S. adults say obesity is an extremely or very serious problem, up from 69 percent in 2005. Americans also see obesity as a more serious societal issue than cigarettes, another change since 2005. The poll found that the majority of Americans believe that it is extremely or very important for federal government programs to address health risks such as obesity (57 percent), smoking (55 percent) and excessive alcohol consumption (48 percent).

ABSI, New Obesity Measure: Better Than BMI?

July 19, 2012
ABC News
By Kim Carollo

Researchers at The City College of New York developed a new obesity measurement tool entitled, "A Body Shape Index" (ABSI) that combines body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. When researchers measured ABSI in more than 14,000 adults, they found that a high ABSI, indicative of a large amount of abdominal fat, predicted the risk of premature death to a greater degree than BMI.

U.S. FDA Approves Vivus Weight-loss Pill Qsymia

July 18, 2012
Reuters
By Ilaina Jonas

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vivus, Inc.'s obesity drug Qsymia, the second obesity drug to be approved in the last month. The approval comes after a three-month delay as a result of the FDA's need to review Vivus's plan for reducing risks for birth defects, cardiovascular health and other conditions once the drug is sold. Click here to read the official FDA News Release.

It's Convenience, Not Cost, That Makes Us Fat

July 17, 2012
Forbes
By Beth Hoffman

According to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), of the 72.5 million American adults who are obese, middle income people are the most overweight and eat fast food more regularly than others, whereas 80 percent of those with low incomes cook at home at least five times a week. The NCHS concluded from an analysis of data between 2005 and 2008 that convenience of unhealthy foods is fueling the obesity epidemic, not cost or lack of education.

Playing Multiple Sports Helps Beat Teen Obesity

July 16, 2012
WebMD Health News
By Jennifer Warner

Researchers at the Hood Center for Children and Families at Dartmouth College reported that teens that play on three or more sports teams are up to 39 percent less likely to be obese. They also found that teens that actively commuted to school more than three days a week also had a 33 percent lower risk of obesity than teens that took the bus or were driven to school. The study was published in the journal Pediatrics.