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Bariatric Physicians
2821 S. Parker Road
Ste. 625
Aurora, CO 80014
303.770.2526 | asbp.org
Staff
Laurie Traetow, CAE, CPA
Executive Director
laurie@asbp.org
Beth Amelon
Administrative Coordinator
beth@asbp.org
Carly Crosby
Administrative Coordinator
carly@asbp.org
Heidi Gordon, CAE
Director of Marketing &
Communication
heidi@asbp.org
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Obesity Medicine e-Weekly
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News
The Obesity Treatment Foundation funds research article about phentermine usage
A recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity, titled "Addiction potential of phentermine prescribed during long-term treatment of obesity," was funded by ASBP's newly formed charitable foundation, The Obesity Treatment Foundation. The following editor's note describes the nature of the article:
"Phentermine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1959 for short-term use for obesity. It is the most commonly used anti-obesity drug on the U.S. market and many U.S. bariatric physicians use phentermine long term, ignoring the FDA guidelines that it be used for three months or less. Phentermine is not approved for use in Europe and some other countries around the world because of the fear of addiction, tachycardia, and elevated blood pressure. Actual objective assessments of phentermine, as compared to administrative opinions, have been rare. The article by Hendricks, et al, in this issue is one of the few available in the literature. The study is not optimally designed but suggests that fears of addiction to phentermine are exaggerated. None of the 269 subjects who had been on phentermine for up to 21 years demonstrated any addictive behavior as assessed by questionnaire and physical examination. Prior studies in the literature in monkeys did not demonstrate significant addictive potential. However, phentermine has a reputation as a "street drug" and is sold in Europe for high prices. Since the combination of phentermine and topiramate has just been approved for long-term use in the U.S., government sponsored, well-controlled research into the long-term use of generic phentermine is needed. There is no possibility that any private company will do long-term research on this generic drug. Should the fears regarding phentermine be shown to be groundless, the positions of governments to ban phentermine should be reconsidered."
Read the full article by Ed J. Hendricks, et al. Learn more about The Obesity Treatment Foundation (OTF), or donate to OTF to support clinical research in obesity treatment.  Only two weeks left to register for Diagnosis to Treatment in Philadelphia Join more than 500 physicians and health care providers who are interested in furthering their knowledge about the latest discussions taking place in the field of obesity medicine!
When: March 12-16
Where: Loews Philadelphia Hotel (Click here or call 800.235.6397 to make a reservation.)
Learn more about this conference. Click here to register now.  ASBP member uses obesity medicine training for volunteer mission Next month, Erin Chamberlin-Snyder, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., will serve as a volunteer physician for the Pebble Project of the Global Orphan Foundation, a program designed to establish feeding and treatment plans for malnourished children in Africa. She will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo with a mission team and use her skills as an established bariatrician to help treat protein malnourishment and vitamin deficiencies in children. Dr. Chamberlin-Snyder is an active member of the Society, a former ASBP Board of Trustees member and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
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Resources
Obesity Updates: Click titles to view articles
Flint, A. J., et al. AJCN, March 2014.
The prevalence and characteristics of food addiction were measured in 134,175 women using a modified version of the Yale Addiction Scale. The novel measurement scale identified 7,839 women who met the criteria for food addiction, which revealed a prevalence of about 6 percent of participants. Body mass index greater than 35 was associated with food addiction.
Chang, Y. Y., et al. Nutrition, February 2014.
Using non-prescription weight-loss supplements is an appealing alternative for many people trying to lose weight. A study was conducted to examine whether the use of weight-loss supplements induced a stronger perception that progress toward weight reduction had been achieved, resulting in a decrease in the self-regulation involved in dieting behaviors. Participants were randomly assigned to take either a known placebo or a purported weight-loss supplement (actually, the same placebo). After the supplement manipulation, participants' actual food consumption at a reward buffet lunch was recorded. Compared with controls, participants receiving a purported weight-loss supplement ate more food at the reward buffet. These data suggest that weight-loss supplements may produce unintended consequences on dietary self-regulation.
Fabbrini, E., et al. Diabetes, March 2014.
Obesity is associated with an increase in oxidative stress, i.e., elevated free radicals. Uric acid (UA) is a powerful scavenger of free radicals and provides about 60 percent of free-radical scavenging capacity in plasma. A study was conducted to test the hypothesis that increased levels of plasma UA are an adaptive response to insulin resistance. Results showed that acute UA reduction caused a 45 to 95 percent decrease in non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity and a 25 to 40 percent increase in levels of systemic and muscle markers of oxidative stress but did not affect insulin sensitivity. These results demonstrate that circulating UA is a major antioxidant and might help protect against free-radical oxidative damage. However, oxidative stress is not a major determinant of insulin action in vivo.
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Education
 Take note: ASBP spring conference starts March 12
Whether you are interested in obesity medicine certification, nutrition and metabolism-specific education or simply furthering your knowledge about the latest discussions taking place in the exciting field of obesity medicine, the upcoming spring conference, Diagnosis to Treatment: Recognizing Obesity as a Disease, at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel will have something for you! Preview course content and speakers for the upcoming conference in the preliminary program.
- Obesity Medicine Certification Review Course (March 12-13)
Provides preparation to those planning to take the American Board of Obesity Medicine certification exam.
Click here to preview topics and speakers for this course. - Nutrition & Metabolism Society Symposium (March 13)
Provides specific education on carbohydrate-restricted diets as a way to improve metabolic health.
Click here to preview topics and speakers for this course. - Obesity: Diagnosis to Treatment Course (March 14-16)
Provides a wide selection of plenary sessions focused on trending topics in obesity medicine.
Click here to preview topics and speakers for this course.
Save the date now and plan to join more than 500 clinical obesity medicine physicians and other health care providers at the conference! Click here to register online, or download the PDF registration form for one or more of these exciting educational opportunities!
Register now for Obesity Basic Medical Treatment; Next course in Scottsdale on April 12
The one-day Obesity Basic Medical Treatment (OBMT) Courses will resume after the Diagnosis to Treatment Conference. These courses offer 7 hours of CME and a full day's worth of information about practicing clinical obesity treatment. Click on a date and city below for registration details:
Click here to download the 2014 OBMT course brochure.
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