Gainesville, Fla. – This past September and October in 70 cities across the United States, more than 11,000 walkers and donors took part in the Annual Walk from Obesity. From coast to coast, individuals affected by obesity, their family members and friends, healthcare professionals and many others came together and proudly walked to raise awareness of the disease of obesity, childhood obesity and morbid obesity.

In the states of Tennessee and Virginia, the state’s governors declared proclamations in the fight against obesity. In addition, both states also took part in a very successful pilot program this year by hosting a Walk for Children’s Health.

“The 2007 Walk from Obesity truly exemplified the proactive initiative taken by those affected by obesity to come together and unify to fight this disease. We are grateful to all of those who walked, or sponsored a walker, in each city and displayed their support in the battle against the obesity epidemic,” proudly said Joseph Nadglowski, Jr., Executive Director of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Foundation and Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) President and CEO.

Nationally, the Walk raised more than $750,000 this year to support the ASMBS Foundation and its research and professional education initiatives, and the patient and general public educational and advocacy programs of the OAC. To date, the Walk has provided nearly 2.3 million dollars in overall support. The Walk from Obesity is thankful to its 2007 National sponsors: Platinum Sponsors: Covidien; and Ethicon Endo-Surgery; Gold Sponsor: Allergan; Bronze Sponsors: Bariatric Advantage; ON-Q PainBuster; and JourneyLite.

The top fundraising Walks for this year are as follows: Houston, Greater Connecticut, Freehold, NJ; Baltimore, New York, Little Rock, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Atlanta, Des Moines, Charlotte, NC; Scottsdale, Cleveland; Long beach, Calif.; Slidell, LA. and Nashville.

Preparations for the 2008 Walk from Obesity have already begun. The 2008 Walk Guide and Walk site application are now available online at www.walkfromobesity.com. “This year, we plan to expand the Walk’s reach into many new cities. With the available financial assistance of the Bryan G. Woodward Community Grant Program, Walk sites across the country will have the opportunity to make 2008 one of the best years ever,” said Nadglowski.

If you are interested in learning more about the Walk from Obesity, the Bryan G. Woodward Community Grant Program or want to learn how to host a Walk in your city, please visit the Walk from Obesity Web site at www.walkfromobesity.com.

The ASMBS Foundation and Obesity Action Coalition’s Walk from Obesity was established to raise awareness of the obesity epidemic and to support initiatives focusing on prevention, education, research, treatment and advocacy. Walkers raise money by asking friends, family and co-workers to sponsor them. In addition to walker income, funds are raised through sponsorship, matching gifts, corporate contributions and other fundraising activities.