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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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 Meet the new executive director of The Obesity Treatment Foundation!
Stacy Schmidt, Ph.D., was recently appointed as the executive director of The Obesity Treatment Foundation this month. Dr. Schmidt has been involved with the Society for the past four years, serving on a part-time basis as the health director. She earned her doctorate degree in nutrition from Colorado State University (Fort Collins) in 2009 and completed her post-doctoral fellowship in March 2014 at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (Denver). She conducted clinical research under the guidance of Dan Bessesen, M.D., in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes and focused her research on examining mediators of insulin sensitivity, lipolysis and body-weight regulation.
The ASBP staff is excited to welcome Dr. Schmidt to her new role. Her background in research and her knowledge about the Society will help her lead the Foundation in its mission to promote research among physicians who treat obesity and to educate the public about obesity medicine. While there is still much work to be done, Dr. Schmidt hopes to create a positive impact in the field of obesity medicine.
The Obesity Treatment Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Its purpose is to foster, fund and enable research in the field of obesity and to educate the public, professionals and government in the nature of obesity, including its etiologies, prevention, diagnosis, consequences and treatment. For more information, please visit www.ObesityTreatmentFoundation.org.
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News
 Apply to join the ASBP Board of Trustees
The application to join the ASBP Board of Trustees is now available for download. Five positions will become available for installation in September at the Overcoming Obesity symposium in Austin, Texas. Positions coming open include vice president (one-year term), secretary/treasurer (one-year term), and three trustee positions (each a two-year term). Email your application to info@asbp.org, or fax or mail it to the ASBP office by May 13.
 Learn more about ASBP task forces at www.asbp.org The Society offers its members opportunities to get more involved by joining a task force, committee or special interest group! Groups that are currently open to join are the Marketing-Communication Task Force, the Pediatric Obesity Special Interest Group (SIG), the Advanced Practitioners SIG and the CME Program Committee. Visit the Society's website at Physicians & Clinicians > Resources > Committees to learn more!
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Resources
Obesity Updates: Click titles to view articles
Bays, H. Curr Atheroscler Rep, March 2014.
This review explores the changes in adipose tissue that often accompany an increased amount of body fat and why these changes in adipose tissue may be considered the primary cause of metabolic diseases and increased cardiovascular risk. Understanding the pathogenic potential of adipose tissue may help clinicians to clearly explain to patients how an increased amount of body fat leads to "sick fat" and ill health.
Evans-Hoeker, E. A., et al. Obesity, March 2014.
A study was conducted to assess health care providers' ability to correctly estimate women's body mass index (BMI) based on physical appearance alone. Ten reproductive-aged women were photographed and underwent height and weight measurements for BMI calculation and had two de-identified (face covered, jewelry removed) photographs taken next to a height chart: the first picture in their own clothing and the second picture in hospital-issued scrubs. One Caucasian and one African-American were recruited from each of the following BMI categories: normal weight (20-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), obesity I (30-34.9), obesity II (35-39.9) and obesity III (greater than 39.9). Health care providers (n=142) completed an online survey that asked them to estimate BMI and whether they would provide weight-loss counseling for each photographed woman. The survey found that BMI estimations were poor among all participants, with an overall accuracy of only 41 percent and a large proportion of underestimations. In addition, health care providers only intended to counsel 69 percent of the women photographed who were affected by overweight and obesity. The most commonly cited reason for lack of counseling was time constraints (54 percent). This study shows that health care providers may not be able to visually assess BMI, which suggests that BMI or other objective measures of obesity should be routinely measured in order to improve identification of those in need of counseling.
Garvey, W. T., et al. Diabetes Care, April 2014.
Phentermine and topiramate extended release (PHEN/TPM ER; Qsymia; VIVUS, Inc.) have been shown to induce significant weight loss when combined with lifestyle modification in adults affected by overweight or obesity. A study was conducted on patients with pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome to evaluate the effect of PHEN/TPM ER treatment on progression to type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease. Subjects were randomized to placebo, PHEN 7.5 mg/TPM ER 46 mg (7.5/46), or PHEN 15 mg/TPM ER 92 mg (15/92) plus lifestyle modifications for 108 weeks. The study found that PHEN/TPM ER was well tolerated during the two year period and reduced the annualized incidence rate of type 2 diabetes for those receiving 7.5/46 and 15/92 by 70.5 percent and 78.7 percent, respectively, compared to the placebo. The ability of the medication to prevent diabetes was related to degree of weight lost.
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Advocacy
 AMA Advocacy Update now available
The March 21 issue of the American Medical Association (AMA) Advocacy Update newsletter is now available for download. A note about the AMA: Remember, your membership in the Society includes representation from the only obesity medicine-focused medical specialty society with a seat in the AMA House of Delegates. It is important we retain enough ASBP member physicians who are also members of the AMA, or we risk losing our seat. If we lost our seat, we lose our ability to influence AMA policy, such as last year's victory in the fight for obesity being recognized as a disease. Click here to learn more.
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Education
  Save the date: Overcoming Obesity is Sept. 10-13 in Austin, Texas
Whether you are interested in obesity medicine certification or furthering your knowledge about the latest discussions taking place in the exciting field of obesity medicine, Overcoming Obesity: Diagnose. Personalize. Treat. will have something for you! This year's Overcoming Obesity Symposium will take place Sept. 10-13 at the Hilton Austin in Austin, Texas.
- Full Conference
30 CME | Sept. 10-13 | Register now for the full conference
Includes the Obesity Medicine Certification Review Course and the Overcoming Obesity Course.
- Obesity Medicine Certification Review Course
12.5 CME | Sept. 10-11 | Register now for this course
Provides preparation for those planning to take the American Board of Obesity Medicine certification exam.
- Overcoming Obesity Course
17.5 CME | Sept. 12-13 | Register now for this course
Provides a wide selection of plenary sessions focused on trending topics in obesity medicine.
Register now for Obesity Basic Medical Treatment; Next course in Scottsdale on April 12
The one-day Obesity Basic Medical Treatment (OBMT) Courses return next month. 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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