Member Benefits

The North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) is the leading scientific organization addressing all aspects of obesity. As a member you will benefit from Annual Scientific Meetings, Continuing Medical Education and publications. You will be part of a distinguished group of leading experts in their fields, working with an association which advocates for increased funding for research and treatment as well as for reimbursement of treatment.

Annual Scientific Meeting

The NAASO Annual Scientific Meeting has grown to be one of the world's largest gatherings of top-notch obesity scientists presenting cutting edge research. Our 2003 Annual Meeting is being held in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association. We expect more than 1,800 attendees from all over the world and anticipate the presentation of more than 700 scientific abstracts. NAASO members enjoy a substantial discount on meeting registration.

Publications

Obesity Research, NAASO's journal, is the highest ranked peer-reviewed journal in obesity and the second highest ranked peer-reviewed journal in Nutrition and Dietetics. It is published monthly with periodic supplements and is available on-line. Past supplements have included the NIH Evidence-based Report on Obesity, the USDA Review of Popular Diets, and coming in December, the proceedings of the Surgeon General's Open Forum on Obesity. All members enjoy a complimentary subscription to Obesity Research as well as regular issues of NAASO's newsletter Notes and Notices. In addition, NAASO members receive a discount on the International Journal of Obesity.

Advocacy

In testimony before the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, NAASO's 2002 President, Michael Jensen, MD, called upon Congress to increase NIH support of obesity research, currently at one percent of NIH's total research allocation. We have worked closely with Congress since then to see that this year's appropriations bill includes the following language: "The Committee is concerned about the rising prevalence of obesity and the impact this will have on the health of Americans and upon the American health care system. We encourage the National Institutes of Health to increase its focus on obesity and to raise research expenditures for obesity to at least two percent of the total research allocation." More on advocacy...

Education

In 2003 NAASO will be offering three on-line CME courses on obesity Treatment as well as a virtual seminar. Two of these are in collaboration with the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. NAASO has merged with CORE, the Center for Obesity Research and Education, offering site-based medical education throughout the year. Other professional and scientific education courses are on the way. NAASO members support the dissemination of the true science behind obesity.

Become a Member Online

Membership in NAASO supports our efforts. A large vital membership is important for our research, advocacy and education efforts. By being part of NAASO, you join a community dedicated to the development, extension and dissemination of knowledge in the obesity field. If you prefer, you may download a NAASO Membership Application and mail, along with your payment, to the NAASO office.