|
|
President's Message from Eric Ravussin, Ph.D.
|
|
|
|
In this rather depressing period of
research funding, a ray of sunshine recently peeked through the clouds
with the announcement of a $620 million increase to the 2007 NIH budget.
The increase will fund 500 new biomedical research grants in heart
disease, cancer, and diabetes. Even if this new money barely covers the
increased cost of research, there is some hope for better times ahead of
us. The time to rejoice will really come only when funding levels take an
upward turn after two years of stagnation. It is indeed one of the
missions of The Obesity Society to push for more dollars dedicated to
obesity research. We all know that obesity will become the major killer
of the 21st century and that more research is needed to both better
understand the etiology of the disease and to test new strategies to
prevent its development in children and adults alike.
Preliminary Scientific
program for New Orleans One of the big achievements of the Society in February was
the 1.5-day meeting of the Program Committee in Washington, DC. Under the
leadership of Andy Greenberg and
Jacquie Stevens, the
committee has developed an outstanding scientific program for the 2007
New Orleans Annual Meeting, October 20-24. The program is finalized and
invitations to speakers are being sent out. Many thanks to the committee
for their great ideas and help putting together an outstanding program
for New Orleans.
Offer to Volunteer Your
Time to the Society Speaking of providing time and effort to our Society, we
need to remember that our Society is largely based on members’
volunteer efforts. As your President, I would like to ask members who are
interested in being more active to provide expressions of interest to
give to the president-elect later this year. The Obesity Society has the
following active committees:
- Clinical
Committee
- Education
Committee
- Development
Committee
- Ethics
Committee
- Membership
Committee
- Public
Affairs Committee
- Publications
Committee
- Audit
Committee
- Reimbursement
Committee
- Weight
Task Force Committee
Awards It is time for us to nominate the scientists that
we will honor at the New Orleans Annual Meeting. Nominations will soon be
solicited for the: 1) TOPS Award for a singular achievement or
contribution to research in the field of obesity 2) Lilly Scientific
Achievement Award for scientific excellence of a young investigator 3)
Stunkard Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifetime of outstanding
contributions to the field of obesity in terms of scholarship,
mentorship, and education 4) George Bray Founders Award for significant
contributions to The Obesity Society and contributions that advance the
scientific or clinical basis for understanding and treating obesity.
Award winners will present some of their work during visible sessions
next October in New Orleans.
Finally, I would like to welcome two new
staff members at the National Office, Nancy
Olins as Director of Communications and Rhesia Pittman as Morgan Downey’s
administrative assistant. We wish them all the best in their future
endeavors and hope that the office will now be able to respond to all the
needs related to our mission. Finally, I want to thank those of you who
are helping our growing Society to be the voice of obesity in North
America. Under Morgan Downey’s leadership, you can trust that The
Obesity Society will respond to the increased demands for basic and
clinical research, education, and advocacy.
Best Wishes,
Eric Ravussin
|
|
OTC Version of Orlistat, Alli
|
|
|
|
As we reported last month, the Food and
Drug Administration has approved Alli, an over-the-counter version of
orlistat (trade name Xenical). It will be available in June. The
manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, is accompanying the rollout of Alli with
the papaerback book Are you losing it?
Two of the four authors of the consumer friendly text are Gary Foster, Ph.D. and Caroline Apovian, M.D.
|
|
The Obesity Society Reaction to Tufts Health Plan Program
|
|
|
|
The Tufts Health Plan has instituted a
program for the non-surgical treatment of persons with morbid obesity. It
is a 12-month lifestyle modification program that includes: one-on-one
calls with a coach; access to Web tools; communications with the
member’s primary care physician; and a variety of informed decision
making tools.
After completing the 12-month program, members can opt to:
· Continue lifestyle changes without program
intervention
· Enroll in the program for an additional 12 months
· Undergo Bariatric surgery
In response to the Tufts Health Plan
announcement, Morgan Downey, Executive Vice President, first offered
congratulations on the program, since persons with morbid obesity have
been neglected by the medical profession. He went on to say:
“However, one aspect of the program we find troubling, namely, that
persons with morbid obesity must go through this program for a year
before becoming eligible for surgery (which may then entail another
waiting period).
We find no justification for this policy
in the medical literature. Just over a year ago, the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS) broadened coverage of bariatric surgery after
positive findings of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee and a
complete literature search. No evidence was available then, nor are we
aware of any in the intervening period, to justify such a delay in
providing surgery. Delaying necessary treatment which can well be life-
saving is not warranted, is outside the accepted standard of care, and
may be considered unethical.
It is important to keep in mind that
persons with morbid obesity usually suffer from a number of life-
threatening conditions. Surgery is the only viable treatment option for
these people. Such patients are very likely to have tried and failed at
numerous efforts to lose weight, including those approaches in the
medical management program. To make them repeat a failed intervention is
only likely to increase their feelings of failure and worsen their
health.
The choice of operation among
gastric-banding and gastric bypass should be made in consultation between
the physician and the patient, not dictated by payors. We urge you to
reconsider this policy and replace it with one more consistent with
current standards of accepted medical practice.”
|
|
Physical Activity Guidelines from DHHS
|
|
|
|
A priority issue for HHS Secretary
Leavitt is prevention since the risk of many diseases and health
conditions are reduced through preventative actions. HHS is developing Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans that
are analogous to Dietary Guidelines
for Americans.
A Physical Activity Guidelines Committee
is being established and HHS has solicited nominees with expertise across
a range of issues related to physical activity and health. Included in
the areas of specialty are experts in obesity and weight management, as
well as health promotion and chronic disease prevention, bone, joint,
muscle health, and performance.
|
|
Calling for Nominations
|
|
|
|
Members are urged to submit nominations
for election to the Nominating Committee in 2008. Please send names to
Thomas Wadden (wadden@mail.med.upenn.edu) no later than March 27.
|
|
Annual Scientific Meeting News
|
|
|
|
October 20-24, 2007
New Orleans
Abstract submission for the Obesity
Society’s 2007 Annual Scientific meeting is open. We will again use
an online system for scientific abstract submission, review, and
publication. This system is fully integrated with our online Learning
Center and streamlines how investigators create and submit their
abstracts. Again this year, all accepted abstracts will be published
online as well as in print.
Go to the login page for The Obesity
Society’s Abstract Submission site at http://www.softconference.com/naaso/2007abstracts.
asp. If you established an Abstract Submission Account in this system for
the 2006 Annual Scientific Meeting and are using the same e-mail address,
you will not have to create a new account in 2007. Simply use the
“Register/Password Reminder” section to receive an e-mail
reminding you of your password. This will save you time and allow you to
quickly begin to create your new abstracts.
Based on users’ suggestions,
we’ve added key enhancements for 2007:
- Navigating
through abstracts in progress is simpler and more intuitive.
- The
editing pane and disclosure appear on separate working pages.
- Corresponding
and contributing authors can quickly check on the status of their
disclosures and submission of each abstract.
Important notes
concerning abstract submissions
There will be no late submission period this year! The deadline for final
submission of all abstracts is 11:59 PM on Tuesday, May 22, 2007.
Abstract submissions in which one or
more authors fail to disclose conflict of interest information will not
be reviewed. There will be no
exceptions to this committee decision.
At our 2006 Annual Scientific Meeting in
Boston, we set a new record for annual meeting attendance and the quality
of the 850 published abstracts was a major factor in the success of this
meeting. We look forward to hearing about your latest findings this fall
in New Orleans.
Be sure to visit the Meeting
Home Page for all Annual Scientific Meeting details as they become
available!
|
|
MedCAC nominations
|
|
|
|
The deadline for the solicitation for
new members to the Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Committee
(MedCAC) has passed.
MedCAC was established to provide
independent guidance and expert advice to CMS on specific clinical
topics. MedCAC reviews and evaluates medical literature, technology
assessments, and examines data and information on the effectiveness and
appropriateness of medical items and services covered under Medicare.
Up to 100 experts serve on MedCAC.
Approximately 15 members with knowledge of the specific topic serve on
the panel for each MedCAC meeting. The panel meets in a public forum
approximately six times a year to review medical evidence for the topic
being studied.
|
|
Save the Date for We Can!
Training
|
|
|
|
We
Can! (Ways to Enhance Children’s
Activity and Nutrition) developed by the National
Institutes of Health, is a flexible, turn-key obesity prevention program
with ready-made materials. More than 140 community sites around the
country have signed on to join We Can! They are using We Can!’s
many resources, including the We Can! Energize our Family: Curriculum
for parents and caregivers, science-based curricula for youth, and We Can! local
community events. The Obesity Society is a participating We Can! partner.
We Can! is sponsoring two regional training events:
- South
Bend/Gary, IN: April 30-May 1, 2007
- Rosewell,
GA: May 3-4, 2007
Learn about a new obesity prevention
program from NIH including one for parents and caregivers focused on
healthy weight through energy balance; media-smart youth, Eat, Think, and
Be Active!; CATCH kids club; and S.M.A.R.T (Student Media Awareness to
Reduce Television). Register for the training
at:http://www.wecantraining,org
To learn more about We Can! Communities,
Partners, and Resources, visit: http://www.nhlbinih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wec
an/
|
|
Calling all NAASO Junior Researchers
|
|
|
|
We recently e-mailed a questionnaire to
all NAASO junior researchers that will help to create a database. This
will facilitate networking and tailor the annual NAASO junior
investigator luncheon to their needs and interests. In our haste to
contact every junior investigator some e-mails were mis-directed. Some of
the more amusing responses we received were: “I hit 65 years young
this April. I am pleased to be considered a junior.” “Wow!
Thank you. At 60+ years of age, I can’t even get CA wineries to ask
for my ID. You made my day.” “Better recheck your list. That
boat sailed fifteen to twenty years ago from my harbor.” We promise
to do better with blast e-mails next time!
|
|
Member News
|
|
|
|
News from the West
By Judith Stern
Colorado
Benjamin F. Miller (formerly
of the University of Aukland) has joined the Department of Health and
Excercise Science at Colorado State University. His lab uses stable
isotopes to explore questions related to aging and energy metabolism and
his appointment is the most recent in this rapidly expanding program at
CSU.
Oregon
The Center for the Study of Weight Regulation and Associated Disorders at
the Oregon Health & Science University was recently awarded a
two-year grant from the Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Foundation to
establish a nutrigenetics database and study the genetic of responders
and non-responders to diet. Roger Cone is
the Principal Investigator, Jonathan
Purnell and Njeri Karanja
are co-Principal Investigators.
Washington
David E. Cummings (Associate
Professor of Medicine, University of Washington) is a principal
originator/organizer of the Diabetes Surgery Committee, which will
convene in Rome on March 29- 31, and which is endorsed by NAASO, The
Obesity Society. The primary objectives for this conference are to
develop guidelines for the use of gastrointestinal surgery to treat type
2 diabetes, and to craft an agenda for further research in this area. For
more information, please contact David Cummings at
davidc@uwasnington.edu.
Michael W. Schwartz (Professor of Medicine, University of Washington) is
the recipient of the Mary and John Davidson Lectureship in Diabetes,
University of Toronto Department of Physiology in January 2007; Naomi
Berrie Award and Lecture for Outstanding Achievement in Diabetes Research
at Columbia University in January 2007; R.H. Williams- Rachmiel Levine
Lecture for Outstanding Research and Mentorship, Metabolism Club, Western
Society for Clinical Investigation in February 2007; and Plenary Speaker,
Annual Meeting of the Association of Professors of Medicine, Scottsville,
AZ in March 2007. Congratulations Michael!
Adam Drewnowski (University of Washington) co-organized and
presented several talks at the Poverty and Obesity Disparities in Diet
and Health Interdisciplinary Forum. It was held March 2 in Seattle and
sought to define the effects that obesity has as a disease, growing
public health problem, and as an economic issue. One goal was to identify
ways to promote eating of healthier food and gaining greater access for
lower income populations. Marilyn
Townsend (UC Davis) spoke about food security and food
assistance: Child obesity prevention in low- income communities.
|
|
|
News
of New Orleans
|
|
|
|
Abstract submission
period: March 14 - May 22, 2007
Plan now to submit your research!
Interested
in...
Exhibiting?
Sponsorship
opportunities?
The Obesity
Society’s
2007 Annual Scientific Meeting
October 20-24
Ernest N. Morial
Convention Center
New Orleans, LA
Visit the Meeting
Home Page for details as they become available.
Laissez
les bon temps rouler!
(Let the good times roll!)
Questions and comments
about The Obesity Society's Web site or newsletter? Please contact Nancy
Olins or Karen Teff, PhD
|
|
