NAASO Announces Name Change
During the Opening Session of the 2005 NAASO Annual Scientific Meeting, Dr. Louis J. Aronne announced NAASO's name change. The North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) is known as NAASO, The Obesity Society.

The name change better identifies the organization as the source of new, cutting-edge research on obesity-related topics for health care professionals, opinion leaders, journalists, consumers, and other stakeholders. The name retains the integrity and reputation NAASO has built over the years and recognizes the international nature of the association.

Dr. Thomas Wadden named NAASO President
NAASO welcomes Thomas A. Wadden, PhD as NAASO President for the 2005 - 2006 term. Dr. Wadden assumed his role as President of NAASO, The Obesity Society on October 18 at the NAASO business meeting in Vancouver. NAASO also welcomes Eric Ravussin, PhD - President-Elect; Gary Foster, PhD- Vice President; Councilor Penny Gordon-Larsen, PhD; and IASO Representative Mexico - Hugo Laviada Molina, MD.

Elections will be held shortly to fill the Secretary/Treasurer position. See the complete list of 2005 - 2006 NAASO Council Members.

Council Approves Establishment of "Sections"
Sections are groups of NAASO members with similar interests, expertise or educational background who have developed goals which advance the Association's Strategic Plan. Sections are self- managed and meet during Annual Meetings. NAASO Council recently approved the formation of the following Sections:

Ethan Sims Young Investigator Award Winner
Daniela Cota, MD from the University of Cincinnati received the prestigious Ethan Sims Award for her research Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) and Branched-chain Amino Acids: Role in the Hypothalamic Circuits Regulating Energy Balance. Dr. Cota (pictured with mentor Dr. Randy J. Seeley) will receive a $1,000 cash prize in addition to $1,000 for annual meeting expenses. Thank you to all the Ethan Sims Young Investigator Award Finalists for their outstanding contributions and presentations.

Obesity Research Awards for Outstanding Journal Research
Awards recognizing exemplary research in basic, clinical and population manuscripts submitted for publication in Obesity Research were presented during Annual Meeting. Awards carry a $500 cash prize. The three awards winners are:
Robert Considine - "Regulation of Adiponectin Expression in Human Adipocytes: Effects of Adiposity, Glucocorticoids and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha" April '05 issue.
Jeanne Clark for “Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Improves Liver Histology in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease” by - July '05 issue.
David Freedman for “Racial Differences in the Tracking of Childhood BMI to Adulthood” – May ’05 issue.

USA Today featured an op-ed authored by Drs. Wadden and O'Neil entitled, "The Fight Against Obesity Must Start in Doctor's Office."

The article states that "physicians should be trained to monitor BMI.....and to provide patients with useful, sensitive feedback about their weight." Drs. Wadden and O'Neil cited three important studies in the article:
What’s in a Name? Patients’ Preferred Terms for Describing Obesity - Obesity Research 11:1140-1146 (2003)
Body mass index in mid-life is associated with a first stroke in men: a prospective population study over 28 years - Stroke. 2004 Dec;35(12):2764-9
Abdominal obesity and risk of ischemic stroke: the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study - Stroke. 2003 Jul;34(7):1586-92

NAASO's membership continues to increase. To date, NAASO has 1,954 active members. An active membership is critical to the education, research and advocacy efforts of NAASO. If you are a member, please take a moment to renew your membership online .

If you are not a NAASO Member, now is a great time to join. Join your fellow colleagues and be a part of a distinguished group of leaders in the obesity field. Become a NAASO member online today, or call 301.565.6526 to join.

The UNC-Chapel Hill Interdisciplinary Obesity Center (IDOC) is seeking applicants for its inaugural postdoctoral research fellowship program for 2006- 2008. Applicants should have interests in the area of obesity as it relates to the biological, genetic or socioeconomic and behavioral factors linked to obesity or obesity- related dietary or physical activity trends.

Applications will be accepted as early as December 1, 2005. Successful applicants must start their fellowships no later than July 30, 2006.

The NAASO Employment Webpage is one of the most requested and visited page on the NAASO Website. Take advantage of this cost-effective recruitment tool. Employment opportunity postings are only $50 (reduced rates available for NAASO members). Postings are active for a maximum of 3 months.

E-mail your employment ad to jobads@naaso.org.