The Board of Trustees also includes Eric C. Westman, MD, MHS, who is moving into the role of chairman; Deborah Bade Horn, DO, MPH, FASBP, who is moving into the role of president; and Carl Knopke, MD, and Richard Lindquist, MD, who will both complete their second term on the Board of Trustees this year. Board installations will take place at Overcoming Obesity 2015.

You applied for the exam... Now sign up for the review course!

Applications for the 2015 American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) certification exam were due yesterday. If you applied to take the exam, it's time to start reviewing the material. Our upcoming review course at Overcoming Obesity 2015 is conveniently timed to help you get an early start on studying. The content of this year's course, which takes place Sept. 30-Oct. 1 in Washington, D.C., is based on the rubric for the exam, and 98 percent of past attendees reported feeling prepared for the exam after completing the review course. Register online for the review course, or select the full conference option to learn even more about obesity medicine.

Advocacy

Learn firsthand how to advocate for access to obesity treatment services

At our upcoming conference, Overcoming Obesity 2015 in Washington, D.C., we're offering a new advocacy breakout track. This track will teach you the skills needed for lobbying on Capitol Hill; then, you'll have the opportunity to use your skills by actively lobbying for increased access to and coverage of obesity treatment services.

The Advocacy Breakout Track will take place on Friday, Oct. 2, as part of the Fall Obesity Summit. This track is offered exclusively to members who are registered to attend the Fall Obesity Summit, but space is limited to 24 attendees. Those who attend will earn CME credit for participating and will have an invaluable opportunity to get involved in advocacy. Reserve your spot by submitting your signed agreement to cme@asbp.org. Registration for this track closes on Sept. 16.

Foundation

Find out what it takes to get your research published

This fall at Overcoming Obesity 2015, the Obesity Treatment Foundation presents the Research Basics Workshop. This interactive, half-day workshop is designed to help clinicians learn the basics of conducting practice-based research and publishing the results. Throughout the afternoon, there will be opportunities to interact with presenters and ask questions about your own research. The Research Basics Workshop takes place Oct. 1 and is worth up to 4.25 hours of CME. Register online now.

Resources

The Obesity Treatment Foundation (OTF) helps keep you up to date on current obesity research! Each week, OTF publishes a brief overview of three recent studies so you can be in the know, even during your busiest days. Click the titles below to view the full articles, and please consider supporting OTF so we can continue to provide you with updates on the latest research.

Genetic predisposition to weight loss and regain with lifestyle intervention: Analyses from the Diabetes Prevention Program and the Look AHEAD randomized controlled trials

Papandonatos, G. D., et al. Diabetes, 2015.

A number of genetic variants have been identified as being associated with obesity. An analysis of how 91 obesity-associated polymorphisms affected weight loss and weight regain was completed in participants from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and the Look AHEAD study. The analysis found that the strongest association with weight loss across studies was MTIF3, which is a gene that encodes a translation initiation factor involved in mitochondrial protein synthesis. In this gene, the minor 'G' allele was associated with weight loss in both trials and with weight regain in the DPP. However, most obesity-related genetic polymorphisms were not associated with weight loss or regain in the DPP and Look AHEAD trials.

Ten-year weight gain in smokers who quit, smokers who continued smoking, and never-smokers in the United States, NHANES 2003-2012

Veldheer, S., et al. Int'l J Obesity, 2015.

Many individuals who quit smoking will experience some weight gain. A study was conducted in data from more than 12,000 adults to determine the long-term weight gain attributable to smoking cessation. Ten-year weight gain for never, continuing, and former smokers who quit 1-10 years ago was calculated by body mass index 10 years ago and cigarettes per day (CPD). The study found that light to moderate smokers (<15 CPD) experienced relatively little smoking cessation-related weight gain; however, heavy smokers (> 25 CPD) and those who were affected by obesity before quitting experienced significant weight gain. For smokers of more than 24 CPD, quitting smoking was related to a 12.2 percent higher body weight. Heavy smokers with obesity may particularly benefit from both tobacco dependence treatment and early weight-management intervention during a quit attempt.

Non-nutritive sweeteners in breast milk

Sylvetsky, A. C., et al. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 2015.

The effect of exposure to non-nutritive sweeteners, such as saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame-potassium, on infants is not known. Only saccharin is not considered safe for use during pregnancy and lactation, and it is the only non-nutritive sweetener found in human breast milk after maternal consumption. A study was conducted on lactating volunteers, regardless of their non-nutritive sweetener intake, to determine if any other sweeteners are present in breast milk. The study found that saccharin, sucralose, and acesulfame-potassium were present in 65 percent of participants' milk samples; aspartame was not detected. These data suggest that nursing infants frequently consume non-nutritive sweeteners. The clinical implications of this are not yet known.

Education

Overcoming Obesity 2015 offers comprehensive education about all areas of obesity medicine

Overcoming Obesity 2015 takes place in Washington, D.C., this fall. Preview the full schedule in the preliminary program.

Full Conference - Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 30 CME
Includes both the Obesity Medicine Certification Review Course and Fall Obesity Summit.

Obesity Medicine Certification Review Course for the ABOM Exam - Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 13 CME
Prepares physicians for the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) certification exam.

Research Basics Workshop - Oct. 1, 4.25 CME
Introduces the basics of conducting clinical research studies.

Fall Obesity Summit - Oct. 2-4, 17 CME
Addresses a wide range of topics related to the clinical treatment of obesity.

Featured topics at Overcoming Obesity 2015

Anti-obesity Medications: Pharmacotherapy is one of many approaches used in a patient's personalized obesity treatment plan. With a number of FDA-approved medications on the market, it's important to know when to prescribe an anti-obesity medication and to understand which medication(s) may be appropriate for your patient. At the conference, we're offering multiple lectures that will enhance your knowledge about anti-obesity medications.

Genetics and Metabolism: A patient's genetic makeup plays a role in the risk for obesity and his or her response to obesity treatment. A number of lectures at the conference will focus on genetic and metabolic interactions to help you better understand how your patient's unique makeup may affect their individualized treatment.

Rooms at the Omni Shoreham Hotel filling up quickly

Overcoming Obesity 2015 takes place entirely at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. When you stay at the Omni, you'll be just steps away from all the events happening at the conference. Until Sept. 8, conference attendees can reserve a room at a special discounted rate. Attendees staying at the Omni also receive complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms. To receive additional complimentary perks, sign up for the free Omni Rewards program prior to your stay. Reserve your room online now, or call 1-800-THE-OMNI and refer to the Overcoming Obesity conference. (Reservations are subject to availability.)

The American Society of Bariatric Physicians and the Obesity Treatment Foundation thank our 2015 Corporate Advisory Council members for their continuous support.

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