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Contact Us
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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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Featured Product
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The "Handbook of Obesity: Clinical Applications, Third Edition" is now on sale for $200 in the ASBP online store. This textbook is a recommended resource for preparing for the ABOM certification exam. Inventory is limited, so order today! |
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Obesity Medicine e-Weekly
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News
 Arena Pharmaceuticals reports Eisai's launch of national television advertising campaign for BELVIQ®
Arena Pharmaceuticals reported yesterday that Eisai Inc. launched a nation-wide advertising campaign for BELVIQ®, a medication for chronic weight management. Click here to read the full press release from Arena Pharmaceuticals. Click here to watch the television commercial for BELVIQ.
(Please note: This article does not reflect an endorsement of a specific product by the Society and is intended solely for informational purposes to assist you with answering patients' questions about its content.)
 FDA approves weekly injectable diabetes drug
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval of albiglutide, a once-weekly injectable treatment for type 2 diabetes. Click here to learn more.
(Please note: This article does not reflect an endorsement of a specific product by the Society and is intended solely for informational purposes to assist you with answering patients' questions about its content.)
 Order educational posters for your office from OAC
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) provides free posters featuring educational information about weight and obesity in both children and adults. These posters are designed to be easy to understand for patients, and as an OAC member, you can access them for free. Click here to learn more.
ASBP endorses Screen-Free Week
Screen-Free Week--the annual event encouraging children, families, schools, and communities to spend time away from electronics and screens--is May 5-11. Preschoolers spend an average of 32 hours per week in front of screens, and that number increases for older children. Too much screen time is linked to poor school performance, childhood obesity, attention problems, and the erosion of creative play. It can also be habit forming. Celebrate Screen-Free Week and help break the cycle of dependence on TV, tablets, smart phones, and computer games to promote important lifestyle changes. Click here for free resources about promoting and practicing Screen-Free Week.
 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.
 Do you want to win prizes from ASBP? Thank you to everyone who participated in last week's poll and entered the drawing for a copy of the ASBP patient database! A winner has been selected, but look for future opportunities to win prizes in upcoming editions of the e-newsletter!
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Foundation
 Support The Obesity Treatment Foundation by shopping at AmazonSmile You can now support The Obesity Treatment Foundation (OTF) while you shop online! Using your existing Amazon account, you can make purchases at AmazonSmile, and Amazon will donate to OTF! Simply sign in and select OTF as your charity. Please share this opportunity with your patients to help spread the word and support OTF. Download a printable flier to hand out to your patients and friends. Click here to learn more about AmazonSmile. Don't have an Amazon account? Click here to create one for free.
(Please note: Charitable solicitation rules prohibit the OTF from sending emails that exclusively advertise AmazonSmile. Please do not forward this email as an advertisement of AmazonSmile. However, you are free to send your own email messages or leave fliers in your office or the offices of friends that will advertise and promote the use of AmazonSmile and the selection of OTF as a suggested charity.)
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Resources
Obesity Updates: Click titles to view articles
Yumuk, V., et al. Obesity Facts, April 2014.
The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) released a position statement on the management of obesity. The position statement supports the contention that relying only on weight (and body mass index) reduction is insufficient in comprehensive obesity management. EASO suggests that more attention be paid to waist circumference (or waist-to-hip ratio, especially in females) and the improvement in body composition (measured with body composition systems like BOD POD, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry or bioelectrical impedance analysis) and that the focus be on enhancing or maintaining fat-free mass while decreasing fat mass. The position statement stresses the importance of a comprehensive approach to obesity treatment and also notes the current lack of obesity pharmacotherapies available in Europe.
Tsai, A. G., et al. Obesity, April 2014.
Assessing readiness for weight loss is recommended in patients presenting for obesity treatment; however, this may be easier said than done. A person's self-reported desire and willingness to make changes to lose weight is not predictive of treatment adherence nor the magnitude of weight loss, suggesting that individuals may overestimate their readiness. An analysis of the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) study examined how performance of a behavioral task--i.e., completion of food records--related to weight loss at one year. The food records were kept for 14 days prior to beginning the study. The researchers found that the number of words and numerals that participants wrote per day in their food record was associated with greater weight loss. Specifically, 34 words or more per day corresponded to 12.1 percent weight loss at one year, while 20 to 26 words and 27 to 33 words correlated with weight loss of 9 percent and 11.4 percent, respectively. This was compared to 8.98 percent for individuals who recorded less than 20 words per day. This simple and inexpensive behavioral task may be a useful tool in predicting readiness for behavior change and future weight-loss success.
Barcellos, S. H., et al. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, April 2014.
In the five weeks before the introduction of the health insurance exchanges, knowledge of health reform, health insurance literacy, and expected changes in healthcare were surveyed in a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population. Researchers conducted this survey with the idea that success of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) depends upon how well individuals can weigh the benefits and costs of various health insurance options. The ability to make an informed decision is dependent upon individuals' knowledge of the ACA and health insurance. Results showed that half of the 6,000 respondents did not know about the exchanges, and 42 percent could not correctly describe a deductible. Those earning 100 to 250 percent of federal poverty level (FPL) correctly answered, on average, four out of 11 questions about health reform and less than five out of seven questions about health insurance. This compares with six correct answers for those in the top income category (400 percent of FPL or more). The survey suggests that the overall population--especially those with lower incomes and more likely affected by the ACA--are not well equipped to make appropriate health insurance choices. Simplified options, decision aids, and health insurance product designs may be helpful in addressing the limited understanding of health insurance contracts.
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Advocacy
 AMA Advocacy Update now available
The April 2 issue of the American Medical Association (AMA) Advocacy Update newsletter is now available for download by clicking here.
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 will have something for you! This year's Overcoming Obesity symposium will take place Sept. 10-13 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.
Reserve your hotel room at the Hilton Austin before Aug. 19 to take advantage of the special ASBP symposium rate of $209+taxes/night!
 Submit your abstract for presentation at the Overcoming Obesity symposium
Abstract submission for Overcoming Obesity on Sept. 10-13 is now open. Abstracts may be submitted for review as research posters and/or oral abstract sessions. Submission is free for ASBP members. The deadline to submit your abstract is July 7. Read the abstract submission guidelines, or click here to learn more.
Register now for Obesity Basic Medical Treatment; Next courses in Miami (June 19) and Atlanta (June 21)
The one-day Obesity Basic Medical Treatment (OBMT) Courses will return in June. 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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