Intends to Continue Society's Contributions to Eradicating Obesity and Helping Those Affected

SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Obesity Society, the leading professional and scientific organization dedicated to the study of obesity, has named Donna H. Ryan, M.D., an internationally renowned obesity expert, as its new president for 2009-2010. Dr. Ryan accepted the gavel from Robert F. Kushner, M.D., outgoing president, at the society's 27th Annual Scientific Meeting, Obesity 2009.

Dr. Ryan is Professor and Associate Executive Director for Clinical Research at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. On being named president of the society, Dr. Ryan said: "Obesity is the most-serious health issue facing our country. It is also creating continually increasing healthcare costs for all Americans. I am delighted to be named president of The Obesity Society and, under my watch, intend to continue our valuable scientific contributions to eradicating the disease and helping those affected by obesity."

Dr. Ryan's interest in obesity research was mentored by George Bray, beginning with a 1992 dose-ranging study of sibutramine. She has been an Investigator on DPP (Diabetes Prevention Program), Co-PI of POUNDS Lost (macronutrient approaches to weight loss) and Co-PI of Look AHEAD (a study of lifestyle intervention designed to produce ~ 10% weight loss in diabetic persons). Dr. Ryan is PI of LOSS (Louisiana Obese Subjects Study), a pragmatic clinical trial of intensive medical therapy for severe obesity conducted in six Louisiana primary care clinics as part of their routine practice.

Dr. Ryan also developed an interest in obesity education and, in particular, in training primary care physicians to incorporate obesity management into their medical practices. Since 1998, she has served as Co-PI for the CORE program (Centers of Obesity Research and Education), which brings continuing education in obesity management to health care professionals. She is an editorial board member for Obesity Management and Obesity Reviews. Dr. Ryan's scholarly activities include authorship of 104 original publications and 27 chapters and reviews, primarily in the field of obesity.

Dr. Ryan has served The Obesity Society (formerly known as NAASO--North American Association for the Study of Obesity) in various capacities since 2000, including Education Committee Chair, Annual Program Committee Chair, Vice-President, and President-Elect (2008-2009).

Dr. Ryan has served to interface academic and industrial components in addressing the obesity epidemic, serving as an advisor to drug, device, and food companies. She is a member of the Louisiana Task Force on Obesity and testifies regularly on obesity-related issues before the state legislature. Dr. Ryan is also an active mentor; she chairs the Clinical Mentoring Committee at PBRC and is a role model for junior women scientists.

Dr. Ryan will serve for the term 2009-2010. She succeeds Robert F. Kushner, M.D., Clinical Director of the Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity in Chicago, Professor of Medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

About The Obesity Society

The Obesity Society (www.obesity.org) is the leading scientific organization in North America dedicated to the study of obesity. The Obesity Society is committed to encouraging research on the causes and treatment of obesity and keeping the medical community and public informed of new advances. The Obesity Society's vision is to be the leader in understanding, preventing and treating obesity and in improving the lives of those affected. The Obesity Society's membership comprises approximately 2500 basic and clinical researchers, who have published extensively, and care providers in obesity treatment and prevention.

SOURCE The Obesity Society

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http://www.obesity.org