As a result, the medical community has become better at treating related conditions and co-morbidities, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, but still hasn ™t reached a consensus on how to treat obesity itself, said Dana Brittan, executive director of the ABBM. That ™s where the ASBP and the ABBM come in. As sister organizations, we worked together to establish the Bariatric Practice Guidelines that focus on four main areas for successful weight-loss: 1. diet, 2. exercise, 3. behavior modification, and 4. medication if appropriate. It ™s a step in the right direction for our doctors and their patients.

A rigorous certification process ensures doctors and other medical professionals are equipped to effectively treat overweight and obese patients and provide a standardized level of care. In the end, the ABBM and ASBP are building a medical community that is knowledgeable and prepared to deal with the obesity epidemic.

The 2010 ABBM exam will be held in September. Application deadlines are June 15 and July 31. For doctors, nurse practitioners and physicians assistants interested in becoming certified in bariatric medicine, visit www.abbmcertification to learn more.

Source: American Board of Bariatric Medicine