Evaluation and Staging of Obesity Complications and a Complications-centric Model for Obesity Management

Downloadable Education Resources

• Physician EduHandout
• BMI Handout

Sponsorship Statement

This continuing medical education activity is sponsored by

Collaborative Partner

Support Statement

This activity is supported by educational grants from

Target Audience

The intended audience for the activity is internal medicine physicians, general practice physicians, family practice physicians, endocrinologists, cardiologists and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of patients with obesity.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this video series participants should be able to:

• Select patients for intervention based on evidence-based criteria, which includes diet and lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapies, and surgery.
• Incorporate optimal therapeutic regimens for individuals with multiple obesity-related comorbidities.
• Compare the safety and efficacy profiles of current and emerging anti-obesity medications so that potential risks and benefits are considered when planning treatment.
• Incorporate effective communication with patients regarding weight loss and anti-obesity medications to improve treatment outcomes.

Overview

Obesity has increased dramatically in the past 20 years, and is considered a health care epidemic in the United States. One-third of adults in the United States are considered obese, having a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m², according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Serious health concerns associated with obesity include increased risk for hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), depression, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, infertility, as well as cancers of the colon, breast, and endometrium. A BMI of ≥ 35 kg/m², increased waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio are predictors of increased risk for mortality. Evidence suggests that losing even 5% of body weight can produce clinically relevant decreases in insulin resistance, decreases in blood pressure, and improvements in lipid profiles. Although some patients will successfully achieve weight loss with changes in diet and exercise alone, these patients represent the minority, and a significant percentage of patients who are successful are unable to maintain weight loss over time. Staying current with evidence-based recommendations for treatment, including knowledge of the safety and efficacy of emerging therapeutic options, is vital to health care practitioners as they work with patients to develop optimal, individualized, long-term strategies for overcoming obesity. This program will consist of a series of four video vignettes presenting interviews with clinical experts who will explore some of the most pressing issues in the management of patients with obesity.

Faculty

Louis J. Aronne, MD, FACP
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Director
Comprehensive Weight Control Program
New York, NY

W. Timothy Garvey, MD
Butterworth Professor and Chair Department of Nutrition Sciences
GRECC Investigator and Staff Physician
Birmingham VA
Medical Center Director
UAB Diabetes Research and Training Center
Birmingham, AL

Robert Kushner, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine
Northwestern University
Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, IL

Anne Wolf, MS, RD
President
Anne Wolf & Associates
Charlottesville, VA

Accreditation

Vindico Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

Vindico Medical Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ (0.25 credits per video). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This enduring material is approved for 1 year from the date of original release: December 18, 2013 to December 17, 2014.

How To Participate in this Activity and Obtain CME Credit

To participate in this CME activity, you must read the objectives, answer the pretest questions, read the articles, complete the CME posttest, and complete and return the registration form and evaluation. Provide only one (1) correct answer for each question. A satisfactory score is defined as answering 2 out of 3 post-test questions correctly for each video. Upon receipt of the completed materials, if a satisfactory score on the posttest is achieved, Vindico Medical Education will issue an AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ certificate.

Planning Committee and Faculty

Louis J. Aronne, MD, FACP
W. Timothy Garvey, MD
Robert Kushner, MD, FACP
Anne Wolf, MS, RD

Reviewer

Ronald Codario, MD, FACP, FNLA, CCMEP

Disclosures

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education’s Standards for Commercial Support, all CME providers are required to disclose to the activity audience the relevant financial relationships of the planners, teachers, and authors involved in the development of CME content. An individual has a relevant financial relationship if he or she has a financial relationship in any amount occurring in the last 12 months with a commercial interest whose products or services are discussed in the CME activity content over which the individual has control. Relationship information appears on this page and the next page.

The authors disclose that they do have significant financial interests in any products or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.

Unlabeled and Investigational Usage

The audience is advised that this continuing medical education activity may contain references to unlabeled uses of FDA-approved products or to products not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The faculty members have been made aware of their obligation to disclose such usage. All activity participants will be informed if any speakers/authors intend to discuss either non-FDA approved or investigational use of products/devices.

Copyright Statement

Created and published by Vindico Medical Education, 6900 Grove Road, Building 100, Thorofare, NJ 08086-9447. Telephone: 856-994-9400; Fax: 856-384-6680. Printed in the USA. Copyright © 2013 Vindico Medical Education. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The material presented at or in any of Vindico Medical Education continuing medical education activities does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Vindico Medical Education. Neither Vindico Medical Education nor the faculty endorse or recommend any techniques, commercial products, or manufacturers. The faculty/authors may discuss the use of materials and/or products that have not yet been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information before treating patients or utilizing any product.

Questions?

Contact us at cme@vindicomeded.com