Earlier this May, the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) announced its newest class of diplomates with 726 physicians passing the board certification exam for the first time. The OAC is thrilled with this news, because it means that more than 720 physicians are newly certified in obesity medicine, resulting in greater access to appropriate healthcare for patients affected by obesity!
Why the Numbers Matter
With more than 720 new physicians added to the mix, the total number of ABOM diplomates certified in obesity medicine across the U.S. and Canada now stands at 3, 337. These are record numbers that indicate obesity medicine as one of the fastest growing fields in medicine. In fact, 2019 saw a 27 percent increase in the total number of ABOM diplomates compared to the previous year.
Today, more than 40 percent of U.S. adults are affected by obesity – a chronic disease associated with more than 50 related health conditions including:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Osteoarthritis
Unfortunately, physicians often have little to no training in effective weight management and the science behind obesity. This means that more often than not, patients with obesity struggle to access tools, resources and support that will help them lose weight and maintain weight-loss long term.
However, the growing number of ABOM physicians certified in obesity medicine offers hope because more healthcare providers are becoming equipped to address the complex challenges obesity presents.
Find an Obesity Medicine Physician
How does one identify a certified obesity medicine physician in their area? The OAC offers an excellent resource: ObesityCareProviders.com.
OAC’s Obesity Care Provider Locator offers a zip code-searchable database of ABOM-certified physicians across many specialties – including dietitians, nurse practitioners, physicians and bariatric surgeons. Our goal is to help patients identify accessible healthcare providers/services in their area to assist with weight management and effective, science-based obesity treatment. We recognize that finding the right healthcare team is one of the most difficult challenges that patients routinely face, so we strive to offer resources to make this significant first step a bit easier.
Congratulations to the newest 2019 class of ABOM diplomates. The OAC is excited to see science-based obesity medicine growing at such a rapid pace to meet the needs of patients affected by obesity, and we hope to work closely with you in support of expanding access to care!