Welcome to the August 2009 edition of the Obesity Action Alert, the OAC's free electronic newsletter.

The OAC welcomes all new subscribers to the Obesity Action Alert! We hope you enjoy the August 2009 edition! Special thanks and recognition goes to all newly-joined members of the OAC. The OAC congratulates you for taking the first-step and joining our Coalition.
 
The Obesity Action Alert is a helpful educational tool to keep you up-to-date about current news in obesity. As obesity is one of the fastest-growing epidemics in our country, it is important that you are informed on these important topics and ways to be involved and make a difference! Happy reading!

Urge Congress to Address Obesity Epidemic in Healthcare Reform
 

Research Shows Rates of Severe Childhood Obesity have Tripled

Rates of severe childhood obesity have tripled in the last 25 years, putting many children at risk for diabetes and heart disease, according to a report in Academic Pediatrics by an obesity expert at Brenner Children's Hospital, part of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

"Children are not only becoming obese, but becoming severely obese, which impacts their overall health," said Joseph Skelton, MD, lead author and director of the Brenner FIT (Families in Training) Program. "These findings reinforce the fact that medically-based programs to treat obesity are needed throughout the United States and insurance companies should be encouraged to cover this care."

The research was published online and will appear in the September print edition. Skelton and colleagues compared data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). They looked at the prevalence of obesity and severe obesity in a study population of 12,384 children, representing approximately 71 million U.S. children ages 2 to 19 years.

To view this article, click here.

OAC Thanks BLIS, Inc., Clarian Bariatrics and On-Q PainBuster for Renewing their Membership in the OAC Chairman's Council

The Chairman's Council is the OAC's highest membership level and is comprised of individuals and organizations who generously support our efforts throughout the year. The support of our Council members is integral, as we would not be able to conduct our education and advocacy work without their contributions.
 
The OAC would like to recognize three companies who renewed their support in the Chairman's Council: BLIS, Inc. Clarian Bariatrics and On-Q PainBuster. The OAC would like to give a special thanks to BLIS, Inc. for not only renewing their membership, but for also increasing their level of support from Patron to Bronze.
 
Please take a moment to visit these organizations' Web sites and learn about how they support those affected by obesity and the OAC. To view these companies, along with our other Chairman's Council Members, please click here.

The Obesity Society Partners with Healthy Interactions® to Advance Obesity Prevention and Treatment

The Obesity Society and Healthy Interactions have announced the beginning of a five-year partnership. The collaboration will develop educational materials using Healthy Interactions proprietary Conversation Map® educational tools to better support the medical treatment of obesity and the behavior change that is necessary for continued personal success.

The Conversation Map® tools use the power of small group dialogue and collaborative learning to improve health. Through this method, groups of individuals engage in a discussion about a disease or subject, recognize how their beliefs or attitudes affect their perceptions, and discover ways they can change behavior and improve their personal health management. First introduced in 2005, the Conversation Map® tools now have a presence in over 50 countries and are dramatically improving healthcare professionals' ability to engage patients and support behavior change.

To learn more, please click here.

OAC President and CEO Blogs about Recent "Weight of the Nation" Conference in Washington, DC

On July 27-29, OAC President and CEO, Joe Nadglowski, attended the CDC's inaugural "Weight of the Nation" conference in Washington, DC.

During his visit to DC, Joe reported live on the OAC Blog keeping us up-to-date on the latest information developing from the meeting. From obesity costs to its effect on the healthcare community, the conference offered an in-depth look at the obesity crisis in the U.S.

To find out more about Joe's visit to DC and catch up on his latest blog posts regarding the conference, please visit the OAC Blog.

To stay up to date with the OAC and receive live updates on our efforts, please join us on Facebook.

Low Short-term Risks after Bariatric Surgery for Extreme Obesity, Study Suggests

Short-term complications and death rates were low following bariatric surgery to limit the amount of food that can enter the stomach, decrease absorption of food or both, according to the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS-1).

Results are reported in the July 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Less than 1 percent (0.3 percent) of patients died within 30 days of surgery, further supporting the short-term safety of bariatric surgery as a treatment for patients with extreme obesity.

Bariatric surgery can have dramatic health benefits--such as improved blood sugar control or even reversal of type 2 diabetes. But it also carries serious risks, including death. The LABS-1 study aimed to evaluate the short-term safety of bariatric surgery to help doctors and patients understand the risks.

To view this article, click here.

OAC "Policy Platform" Now Online

As the leading non-profit organization dedicated to representing those affected by obesity, the OAC provides educational and advocacy information to millions of indviduals each year.

Often times, the OAC is asked, "What are our beliefs for the wide array of obesity issues facing the American public?" To answer this question and further the OAC's core beliefs, the OAC has developed a Policy Platform to communicate the OAC's position on these important issues.

To view the OAC's Policy Platform, click here. If you have any questions or comments regarding the OAC's Policy Platform, please email us at info@obesityaction.org.

Obesity Costs U.S. Health System $147 Billion

Obesity-related diseases account for nearly 10 percent of all medical spending in the United States or an estimated $147 billion a year, U.S. researchers said Monday.

They said obese people spend 40 percent more -- or $1,429 more per year -- in healthcare costs than people of normal weight.

"It is critical that we take effective steps to contain and reduce the enormous burden of obesity on our nation," Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a news conference at a CDC obesity meeting where the study was presented.

"Reversing obesity is not going to be done successfully with individual effort," Frieden said. "It will be done successfully as a society."

To view this article, click here.