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Greetings!
Next month, the newly formed American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) will administer its Certification Examination for Obesity Medicine for the first time. Nearly 250 physicians have signed up to take the test, including myself.
As I have found both in my role with the Alliance and in my clinical obesity practice, addressing obesity is complex and requires a thorough understanding of the contributing genetic, biologic, environmental, social and behavioral factors. Unfortunately, while this comprehensive understanding of obesity is sorely needed in the clinical setting, it is not common.
A STOP Obesity Alliance patient/provider survey found 90 percent of primary care physicians said they felt it was their responsibility to help patients lose weight, but 72 percent of these doctors said no one in their practice was trained to deal with obesity issues.
While there are some programs already in place, such as the American Medical Association's (AMA) continuing medical education for physicians, I expect the ABOM certification to be extremely valuable in the practice of obesity medicine. I hope it will serve as a formative step in creating a formal subspecialty, which will lead to a broad set of physicians and physician leaders who practice an evidence-based approach to obesity care. Ultimately, training and specialty certification in obesity medicine will help ensure that patients have informed, scientific and objective medical specialists to help them manage obesity and weight-related chronic conditions.
Research has shown that clinicians can make a difference in obesity. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that physicians, with the aid of their medical assistants, can help their patients achieve a clinically significant and sustained weight loss. At the same time, with nearly 70 percent of Americans affected by overweight and obesity, it will be important to expand the ranks of physicians and other health professionals who are trained in obesity medicine.
I hope these initial 250 physicians taking the ABOM certification will grow the numbers of board certified obesity medicine physicians and serve as a signal to all health care providers about the need to reshape the clinical landscape to overcome and prevent obesity. At the same time, I hope this will also motivate primary care physicians and other specialists to take advantage of these certifications and resources.
I look forward to joining my peers next month as we sharpen our Number 2 pencils and prepare to be certified. Good luck!
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Alliance & Member News
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Several Alliance Steering Committee and Associate Members were featured in news stories this month including:
- Alliance Director Scott Kahan, MD, MPH in WebMD, "Fast Walking May Slash at Heart Disease, Diabetes" and the Huffington Post, "The Dreaded Parent-Child Talk."
- STOP Obesity Alliance in TEDMED Blog, "The Challenge of Child Obesity - for Adults" and MomsRising.org, "Food Friday: How to Talk to Kids About Weight."
- American Board of Obesity Medicine in MedPage Today, "Group Proposes Certification in Obesity."
- National Business Group on Health in Reuters, "The Doctor (in the Next Cubicle) Will See You Now," and USA Today, "Colorado Hopes to be Good Fit for Business."
- Obesity Action Coalition in Minnesota Public Radio, "Should We Blame Overweight Parents for Child's Obesity?"
- The Obesity Society in The Wall Street Journal via MarketWatch, "Get Paid to Stay Healthy."
- Rebecca Puhl, PhD, in Everyday Health, "TV Anchor Blasts 'Bully' Who Criticized Her Weight."
AHIP Partners with CDC to Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) announced it will partner with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) around the country. The Program's goal is to prevent Type 2 diabetes in individuals who have pre-diabetes. Over the next four years, AHIP will work with Aetna, EmblemHealth, Florida Blue and Molina Healthcare to implement the National DPP in Florida, New Mexico, New York and Texas. The health plans will collect data from the intervention sites. AHIP will compile this data, report outcomes to the CDC and promote the program to health plans and employers. Participation may expand to additional health plans and states in the future. Click here to learn more about the partnership.
NMA to Host Webinars Focused on Childhood Obesity Prevention Strategies
Nebraska Medical Association's (NMA) Childhood Obesity Prevention Project, in collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, is hosting its second year of "Foster Healthy Weight in Youth Webinars," a series of webinars that focus on prevention strategies and highlight evidence-based models for early childhood interventions such as promoting breastfeeding communities, school screening and coordinated school health programs, among others. The sixth webinar in the 2012 series, entitled "Breastfeeding: A Vital First Step for Fostering Healthy Weight in Youth," will be held on November 7 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm CST. Click here to register for the webinar.
BEDA Releases New Documentary on Bullying and Weight Stigma
Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) partnered with the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders and NORMAL, an organization that educates students ages 12 and up about eating disorders, body image and self-esteem, to produce a new documentary film titled "Beneath the Floorboards." The documentary takes a personal look at a mother and daughter as they struggle with binge eating disorder and the accompanying weight bias, shame and stigma. Click here for more information.
ACSM to Host Summit on Physical Activity and Prevention
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is hosting the "National Strategic Summit: Roadmap for Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Comparative Effectiveness Research" on November 17 in Phoenix, Ariz. The event will cover topics including multi-level intervention approaches for lifestyle health, the importance of physical activity and lifestyle approaches for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease risk factors and conditions. Click here for more information.
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News Round-Up
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October 24, 2012
Gallup.com
By Elizabeth Mendes
Americans in nearly every age group are more likely to be obese than they were in 2008, according to data collected as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The survey found obesity rates are highest among older adults, with 14.4 percent of 84 to 87 year olds reported as obese today, an increase from 12.2 percent in 2008.
Stress in Parents Linked to Obesity in Kids
October 22, 2012
WebMD Health News
By Denise Mann
A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that the more stress parents report, the more likely their children are to be overweight or obese. The study also noted that black and Hispanic children, children from single-parent households and children from families struggling financially were considered "high-risk" populations that were more vulnerable to the effect of stress on their weight.
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Extra Pounds Tied to Higher Risk of Hospitalization
October 19, 2012
Reuters
By Genevra Pittman
Individuals who are overweight or obese are more likely to be hospitalized for a variety of conditions, according to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity. Among adults, study researchers reported that every extra BMI point, equal to about six or seven pounds, was associated with a 4 percent higher chance of being admitted to the hospital for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, chest pain, arthritis and asthma over a two year period.
Severe Obesity Still Rising Fast in the US
October 18, 2012
Reuters
By Amy Norton
The number of Americans with a BMI of 40 or above rose 70 percent over the last decade, though the increase has slowed in more recent years, according to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity. The study found that while moderate obesity rose relatively slowly after 2000 and leveled off after 2005, severe obesity remains the fastest growing sub-type of obesity among Americans.
Counseling Slows Weight Gain in Obese Moms-to-be
October 18, 2012
Reuters
By Kerry Grens
A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that motivational counseling can help slow pregnancy weight gain in obese women. Study researchers found that women who received counseling only gained an average of 23 pounds, compared to nearly 30 pounds gained among women receiving standard care. Study researchers also reported that women who received counseling reported less stress and anxiety during their pregnancies.
FDA Considers Faster Approval Process for Obesity Drugs
October 11, 2012
Businessweek
By Anna Edney
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg told scientific advisers the agency will allow makers of obesity treatments, life-saving antibiotics and other drugs deemed to offer societal benefit despite their risks to obtain faster approvals under plans being discussed to better balance innovation and safety. A "special medical use" label could be used, allowing doctors to administer the drugs to patients in most critical need.
TV Anchor Blasts Viewer Who Complained About Her Weight
October 2, 2012
USA Today
By Michael Winter
News anchor Jennifer Livingston from WKBT-TV in La Crosse, Wis. fired back at a male viewer who complained about her weight via e-mail, stating that given her status as a "local public personality," she wasn't a "suitable" role model for children, particularly for girls. In a four-minute on-air response, Livingston turned the discussion of her weight into a rallying point against weight bullying, noting that October is Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.
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The content on these web pages is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not designed to replace medical advice or professional medical services. The information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. Medical decisions should be made in consultation with your qualified health care provider. There may be variations in treatment that your health provider may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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Copyright � 2012 STOP Obesity Alliance. All Rights Reserved.
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