 Update from the 2016 Presidential Conventions
Special guest column by OMA president Dr. Deborah HornU.S. politics have been front and center in the news the past two weeks with the Democratic and Republican conventions taking place. Coverage of care for the treatment of obesity was a hot topic. President-elect Dr. Wendy Scinta, OTF secretary/treasurer Dr. Amy Articolo, and I represented OMA at the Obesity Care Advocacy Network luncheon briefings for both parties, hosted by Novo Nordisk. Delegates, staffers, representatives, senators, and press were invited to the briefings, where celebrities Tim Daly and Elizabeth Banks were also in attendance. We helped the audience understand the state of care. A tremendous panel of experts, including policy makers, military officials, obesity medicine specialists, patients, and employer experts answered audience questions. The goal was simple: To spread the word that obesity is a disease, U.S. citizens deserve treatment, and the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act can help get us there. The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act currently has 160 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and 12 in the Senate. If passed, it will expand Medicare Part D coverage to include anti-obesity medications and non-primary care physician visits, which includes visits to obesity medicine specialists. The response was tremendous! We CAN and WILL eventually get coverage and care for our patients. OMA recognizes the importance of collaboration in this endeavor, and we thank all our Obesity Care Advocacy Network Partners who were represented at the luncheons: AACE, ASMBS, Endocrine Society, OAC, TOS, and Novo Nordisk. |
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Find Your Next Career in Obesity Medicine
View a list of open positions in the field of obesity medicine on the career center. Current open positions include: - Nurse Practitioner (Southington, Connecticut)
- Medical Director (New York)
- Medical Bariatrician (Greensboro, North Carolina)
- Bariatrician (Charlotte, North Carolina)
To apply, visit the career center and follow the application instructions for the position you're interested in. Want to fill an open position in your practice? It's free for members to post a job on the career center. Contact rachel@obesitymedicine.org for more details. |
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 We Have Everything You Need to Prepare for the ABOM Exam
There's one month left to apply to take the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) certification exam this year. In order to meet your application requirements, you need at least 30 hours of at-home CME and 30 hours of live CME. OMA can help! We have plenty of options to help you earn enough CME credit to apply and start studying for the exam: - Overcoming Obesity 2016 (Live)*:
30.5 CME | Register - 2016 ABOM Exam Prep Bundle (Online):
30 CME | Purchase - 2015 Review Course for the ABOM Exam (Online):
13 CME | Purchase - Recorded Fall 2015 Review Course (CD or DVD):
13 CME | Purchase on sale for $139! - Recorded Fall 2014 Review Course (CD or DVD):
12.5 CME | Purchase on sale for $99!
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*Even though Overcoming Obesity 2016 takes place after the Aug. 30 application deadline, the CME earned at the conference counts toward your application requirement. Simply include your registration receipt with your application materials. You must register for Overcoming Obesity 2016 prior to submitting your application.
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Obesity Treatment Foundation
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 Donor Spotlight: W. Allen Rader, MD, FOMA
The name, Dr. Allen Rader, is widely recognized and revered among OMA members. Dr. Rader is also a big supporter of the Obesity Treatment Foundation. He became a member of the Foundation's Leadership Circle after donating more than $1,000 this year. We had a brief conversation with Dr. Rader to learn more about him: |
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Executive Director
Sponsorships and Exhibits Manager
Operations Manager
Executive Director of the Obesity Treatment Foundation
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101 University Blvd.,
Suite 330
Denver, CO 80206
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Q: What do you find most challenging about the field of obesity medicine? A: Nutrition, metabolism, behaviors, and psychology. Most every patient that struggles with weight has contributing factors in all four areas (we look at it like four pieces of a puzzle). I find it most challenging in working with each patient to learn which piece affects their weight the most and in what order we need to attack the pieces. The psychology of gaining weight, losing weight, and maintaining weight loss is challenging yet exciting. Q: What influenced your decision to work with patients affected by obesity? A: In my years as an emergency physician, I saw cases of persons coming in with premature cardiac disease and dying even with normal cholesterol levels. They seemed to have one thing in common. Their abdomens looked just like mine. I finally decided I wanted to help prevent my own and others' premature deaths, and I started looking into obesity medicine. Q: Why do you support the Obesity Treatment Foundation? A: I have spent my entire career in the front "battle lines" of medicine. Research is important, but learning how to take that information to the front line and use it effectively is the future of quality care. Obtaining positive results and monitoring changes that improve patient care are the secrets to developing treatments that are reproducible in all front-line practices. This can lead to the improvement of obesity medicine. I believe that is the challenge for the Foundation and the reason I support them. Read the full conversation with Dr. Rader and join him in supporting the Obesity Treatment Foundation.
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Dietary Supplementation with Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Oleate Enhances Exercise Training Effects in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Ortega, J. F., et al. Obesity, 2016.
The effect of exercise training alone or in conjunction with omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids (275 mg) + oleate (7.5 g) was studied in patients with metabolic syndrome. After 24 weeks of high-intensity interval training, the study found that the n-3 + oleate treatment led to improvements in insulin sensitivity, C-reactive protein, and HDL cholesterol, whereas the exercise-only group did not have a significant improvement in these same parameters. Both groups improved their VO2 peak, blood pressure, waist circumference, and fat mass. Fasting triglycerides, glucose, and plasma fibrinogen concentrations did not improve in either group. This study shows that supplementation with n-3 fatty acids and oleate amplified the cardiometabolic benefits of high-intensity interval training in patients with metabolic syndrome. View article
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Effect of Liraglutide 3.0 mg in Individuals with Obesity and Moderate or Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The SCALE Sleep Apnea Randomized Clinical Trial
Blackman, A., et al. Int'l Journal of Obesity, 2016.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is strongly associated with obesity. A 32-week study was conducted to test the effects of liraglutide 3.0 mg versus placebo in reducing OSA. This randomized, double-blind trial conducted in patients with obesity and moderate or severe OSA found that the mean reduction in OSA was greater with liraglutide than with placebo (-12.2 vs. -6.1 events per hour). The liraglutide group had a greater percentage of weight loss compared with placebo (-5.7% vs. -1.6%), and there was a significant association between the degree of weight loss and improvement in OSA. In addition, glycated hemoglobin and systolic blood pressure improved with liraglutide versus placebo. These results suggest that as an adjunct to diet and exercise, liraglutide 3.0 mg may be useful in improving OSA, body weight, blood pressure, and glycated hemoglobin in patients with obesity and moderate or severe OSA. View article
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No Sweat: African-American Adolescent Girls' Opinions of Hairstyle Choices and Physical Activity
Woolford, S. J., et al. BMC Obesity, 2016.
The prevalence of obesity is higher among African-American adolescent (AAA) girls than among non-Black girls. A study was conducted to test the idea that hairstyle concerns were related to lower levels of physical activity (PA), which may contribute to this disparity in obesity. Focus groups were conducted with AAA girls 14-17 years old (n=36) in Michigan (n=9), California (n=11), and Georgia (n=16). These groups discussed perceptions of hairstyles, physical activity, and if they were related to one another. The study found that between the ages of 8 and 15, girls began to show concern about their hairstyles and changed from "juvenile" (natural) styles to "adult" (straightened) styles. In addition, participants avoided getting wet or sweating during exercise because of negative effects on their hair. Braids with extensions and natural styles were seen as better for exercise but not very attractive, and most participants agreed that long, straight hairstyles were the most attractive. Having extensions was also positively associated with levels of physical activity. This study suggests that hairstyle choice may be a major influencer in African-American girls' decisions to participate in physical activity and can be a barrier to healthy lifestyle choices. View article
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Overcoming Obesity 2016: Chicago, Sept. 21-25
Overcoming Obesity 2016 is your primary source for clinical obesity education. This fall we're offering the Review Course for the ABOM Exam - the course preferred by physicians to help them prepare for the obesity medicine certification exam - and the Fall Obesity Summit, which contains an all-new lineup of topics and speakers. Overcoming Obesity 2016 takes place in Chicago on Sept. 21-25. Register online now! |
Review Course for the ABOM Exam
13.5 CME/CE | Sept. 21-22
Addresses the clinical topics physicians need to know for the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) certification exam.
If you're a physician planning to take the exam, use this opportunity to study for the exam and meet current diplomates of ABOM.
| Fall Obesity Summit
17 CME/CE | Sept. 23-25
Addresses clinical topics relevant to what's happening in the field of obesity medicine right now.
If you're a health care professional who encounters obesity in your practice, don't miss this opportunity to gain practical tips from experienced obesity medicine clinicians.
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Last Obesity Medicine Basics in Orlando This Month
There are only two weeks left to refer your colleagues to Obesity Medicine Basics in Orlando and earn rewards. Obesity Medicine Basics is an introductory course to obesity medicine, appropriate for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and allied health care professionals who want to learn how to effectively treat patients with obesity. If you're newer to obesity medicine, this course will teach you the fundamentals and help you get acquainted with the field. If you're an experienced clinician, refer your colleagues to the course and receive a $50 Amazon gift card for every person you refer. |
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The Obesity Medicine Association and the Obesity Treatment Foundation thank our 2016 Corporate Advisory Council members for their continuous support.
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© 2016 Obesity Medicine Association. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced, redistributed or translated without written permission. Advertising disclaimer: Under a policy approved by the OMA executive committee and exhibitor/advertiser review committee, commercial companies may apply to advertise in OMA publications. Approval does not imply endorsement or official recognition of particular products or services.
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