Obesity
The WSMA recognizes obesity as a major endemic health problem and, as
such, the WSMA will:
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urge physicians as well as managed care organizations and other
third-party payers to recognize obesity as a complex disorder involving
[behavior], appetite regulation and energy metabolism that is associated
with a variety of comorbid conditions;
-
work with appropriate federal agencies, medical specialty societies, and
public health organizations to educate physicians about prevention and
management of overweight and obesity in children and adults, including
education in basic principles and practices of physical activity and
nutrition counseling; such training should be included in undergraduate
and graduate medical education and through accredited continuing medical
education programs;
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urge federal support of research to determine:
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the causes and mechanisms of overweight and obesity, including
biological, social, and epidemiological influences on weight gain,
weight loss, and weight maintenance;
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the long-term safety and efficacy of voluntary weight maintenance
and weight loss practices and therapies, including surgery;
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effective interventions to prevent obesity in children and adults;
and
- the effectiveness of weight loss counseling by physicians;
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encourage national efforts to educate the public about the health risks
of being overweight and obese and provide information about how to
achieve and maintain a preferred healthy weight;
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urge physicians to assess their patients for overweight and obesity
during routine medical examinations and discuss with at-risk patients
the health consequences of further weight gain; if treatment is
indicated, physicians should encourage and facilitate weight maintenance
or reduction efforts in their patients or refer them to a physician with
special interest and expertise in the clinical management of obesity;
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urge all physicians and patients to maintain a desired weight and
prevent inappropriate weight gain;
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encourage physicians to become knowledgeable of community resources and
referral services that can assist with the management of overweight and
obese patients; and
-
urge the appropriate federal agencies to work with organized medicine
and the health insurance industry to develop coding and payment
mechanisms for the evaluation and management of obesity.
(Res A-6, A-03) (Reaffirmed A-23)
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Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:
EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on
Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health
Services