Unprecedented Collaboration Seeks to Prepare Physicians Dealing With Epidemic

SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the first time, ten professional societies have united to jointly develop an Obesity Medicine Physician Certification (OMPC) Examination. The 18-month process of establishing an examination was initiated by The Obesity Society in 2008 with an expected completion in March 2010. According to Dr. Robert Kushner, Chair of the OMPC Inter-Societal Steering Committee and President of The Obesity Society, "Approximately two-thirds of adults and 32 percent of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. In light of the complexity and significance of the problem worldwide, the time is right for training and recognizing physicians who are experts in the care of patients with obesity."

The body of knowledge required by physicians of obesity medicine was begun by a Practice Analysis Task Force and reviewed by two focus group panels and 25 subject-matter experts in nutrition, exercise, psychology and medicine. An internet-based validation survey to assess importance and time spent for each item was subsequently completed by 238 physicians from internal medicine, pediatrics and family practice. The Steering Committee is now beginning phase II of the process - writing questions for the examination. Over the coming months, delegates from each society will be identifying item writers from their membership.

The ten member societies are: The Obesity Society, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Diabetes Association, American Gastroenterological Association, American Heart Association, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, American Society for Nutrition and The Endocrine Society.

For further information regarding the OMPC examination program, please contact Bill Scott at bscott@obesity.org, 301-563-6526

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For Press Release Information:

Jane Pratt

jpratt@obesity.org

301-563-6526

SOURCE The Obesity Society

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http://www.obesity.org