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 to everyone 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.

News

OAC hosts YWMLocal in Los Angeles
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) announces a free, half-day event in conjunction with ObesityWeek. YWMLocal-Los Angeles 2015 features renowned experts in the fields of weight and health, presenting on topics such as how to choose the best weight-management option, nutrition and dietary guidelines, exercise information and demonstrations, motivational messages, and more. Encourage your patients in the greater Los Angeles community to come learn about weight and health. The event takes place on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 8 am to 12 pm at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To learn more or register, visit www.YWMLocal.com.

Foundation

Grant winners to be announced at Obesity Treatment Foundation cocktail party

The Obesity Treatment Foundation (OTF) will hold its biannual cocktail party fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 3, as part of Overcoming Obesity 2015. During the event, OTF will announce the winners of two obesity medicine research grants. Throughout the evening, attendees will also have the opportunity to support OTF and bid on a number of great silent auction items, including mountain getaways, bike tours, custom artwork, yoga memberships, and more! All proceeds from the evening benefit the foundation.

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.

Celastrol protects against obesity and metabolic dysfunction through activation of a HSF1-PGC1-alpha transcriptional axis

Ma, X., et al. Cell Metabolism, 2015.

Celastrol is a natural compound extracted from the thunder god vine and has been found to be a powerful leptin sensitizer and potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity. The mechanisms of action in protecting against obesity were examined in a recent study that focused on activation of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) by celastrol. HSF1 exerts pleotropic effects in response to stress, such as cold temperatures. The study found that celastrol activated HSF1 in cell culture and also in mice on a high-fat diet. The HSF1 activation caused increased energy expenditure, browning of white adipose tissue, and activation of mitochondrial genes in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, which was dependent on activation of PGC1-alpha. Augmenting HSF1 activation via celastrol is a potential strategy to treat obesity.

Weight loss prior to gastric bypass and postoperative weight change: Data from the Scandinavian obesity registry

Gerber, P., et al. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 2015.

The effect of pre-operative weight loss on two-year postoperative weight change was examined in more than 9,000 patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery. The patients were categorized according to their pre-operative weight loss: the 75th percentile had lost 8.6 percent of weight preoperatively, the 50th percentile lost 4.5 percent of weight, and 25th percentile lost 0 percent of weight. After two years, patients in the 75th and 50th percentiles had 10.1 percent and 5.3 percent greater weight loss, respectively, compared to those in the 25th percentile. Those in the 75th percentile with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 45.7 had a more pronounced effect, with two-year weight loss being 13.7 percent higher than the 25th percentile. Pre-operative weight loss may be an important factor in the likelihood of success for long-term weight loss following bariatric surgery.

Causes of vitamin D deficiency and effect of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic complications in obesity: A review

Wamberg, L., et al. Current Obesity Reports, 2015.

Low vitamin D levels are common in patients affected by obesity and related adverse health outcomes, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and inflammation. This review article discusses potential mechanisms for the relationship between low vitamin D and obesity from recent randomized, controlled trials. In general, the authors suggest that vitamin D treatment for obesity does not result in significant improvements in obesity-related adverse health outcomes.

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 final 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.

Reserve your room at the Marriott Wardman Park

Our room block at the Omni Shoreham Hotel is full! Stay nearby at the Marriott Wardman Park. Make a reservation online (or call 1-877-212-5752 and refer to the 2015 ASBP fall conference) before Sept. 25 to take advantage of the special conference rate of $229+tax per night. (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.

©2015 American Society of Bariatric Physicians. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced, redistributed or translated without written permission. To request permission, call ASBP at 303.770.2526 or send an email to info@asbp.org. Advertising disclaimer: Under a policy approved by the ASBP Executive Committee and Exhibitor/Advertiser Review Committee, commercial companies may apply to advertise in society publications. Approval does not imply ASBP endorsement or official recognition of particular products or services. This policy also applies to books and products marketed on behalf of ASBP members.