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Online Resource Center to Assist in Treating Obesity LaunchesThe American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) has taken the lead in developing an online resource hub geared to assist physicians and other health care professionals with the latest treatment guidelines and helpful instruction on caring for patients diagnosed with obesity. The AACE Obesity Resource Center contains educational tools for AACE members and other health care professionals who care for patients with obesity in developing an individualized care plan, starting with diagnosis to treatment and management. Features of the online tool include the AACE/ACE Algorithm for the Medical Care of Patients with Obesity that has an interactive component enhancing its use by health care professionals in the medical care of patients with obesity; a comprehensive library of informational slides; guidelines for the treatment and prevention of obesity, and other resource materials. Also included is the Obesity Resource Toolkit which contains suggested information on medical office layout, resources and guidance on coding and billing. In 2013, AACE sponsored a resolution that was adopted by the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates, recognizing obesity as a disease state requiring a range of treatment interventions and strategies for prevention, and in 2016, published evidence-based Comprehensive Clinical Practice Guidelines for Medical Care of Patients with Obesity, upon which the treatment algorithm is based. "According to the CDC, more than one-third of U.S. adults have obesity that translated into an estimated annual medical cost of $147 billion in 2008," said Alan J. Garber, MD, PhD, FACE, Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and chair of the Obesity Resource Center. "With proper treatment and management by a trained specialist such as an endocrinologist, obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer can be prevented. The development of this new Obesity Resouce Center is one way endocrinologists and other healthcare professionals can look to for resources to help in the management and treatment of patients with obesity." "The AACE Obesity Resource Center was developed to serve as guide for AACE members and others who treat patients diagnosed with obesity and related complications," said W. Timothy Garvey, MD, FACE, Vice Chair of the Obesity Resource Center and Chair of the AACE Obesity Scientific Committee responsible for developing the guidelines. "It's a service to benefit our AACE members and their patients who suffer the complications of untreated overweight and obesity, and their widespread prevalence in the population including sleep apnea, arthritis, loss of productivity and absenteeism in the workforce, including increased disability as well as diabetes and heart disease." "As obesity prevalence continues to rise and comorbidities continue to burden our society, having a resource for physicians and other medical professionals to turn to for treatment guidelines and recommendations is invaluable," said Etie S. Moghissi, MD, FACP, FACE of Marina Del Rey, CA (News - Alert), and Vice Chair of the AACE Obesity Resource Center. "The goal of the Resource Center is to assist AACE members and others in developing an individualized treatment plan based on the available resources when treating patients with obesity." Furthermore, the AACE Obesity Resource Center offers live conferences, symposia and online education to AACE members. The Resource Center is supported by Ethicon and Novo Nordisk. Click here to view the AACE Obesity Resource Center. About the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) represents more than 7,000 endocrinologists in the United States and abroad. AACE is the largest association of clinical endocrinologists in the world. A majority of AACE members are certified in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism and concentrate on the treatment of patients with endocrine and metabolic disorders including diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity. Visit our site at www.aace.com. About the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) The American College of Endocrinology (ACE) is the educational and scientific arm of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE). ACE is the leader in advancing the care and prevention of endocrine and metabolic disorders by: providing professional education and reliable public health information; recognizing excellence in education, research and service; promoting clinical research and defining the future of Clinical Endocrinology. For more information, please visit www.aace.com/college.
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