October 29, 2007

Chevy Chase, Md.--The Endocrine Society stressed the critical need for effective prevention and treatments for obesity during a Capitol Hill briefing organized by the Biotechnology Industry Organization. The event, “The Importance of Biotechnology in Addressing the Obesity Epidemic,” highlighted for Congressional leaders the needs of both patients and physicians to better combat this growing epidemic.

Dr. Gilbert August spoke on behalf of The Endocrine Society. “Obesity has reached epidemic levels, and our nation’s medical community, legislators, and public have to work collectively to find effective and affordable treatments for this serious medical condition,” he said.

Other panelists described where the science of obesity is headed and the range of treatments coming from new technologies.

Dr. August recently chaired The Endocrine Society’s expert panel that developed new clinical guidelines to combat childhood obesity: “Prevention and Treatment of Pediatric Obesity.” As noted in his remarks today, the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased four-fold since 1970 for children ages 6 to 11. Health concerns related to pediatric obesity include its association with diabetes, sleep apnea, and various cardiovascular risk factors.

The Endocrine Society’s guidelines give healthcare professionals the benefit of the most recent advances and new strategies in diagnosing and treating patients. Specific recommendations coming out of the pediatric obesity guidelines include:

• Prescribing and supporting lifestyle (diet and physical activity) modification as the cornerstone of prevention of obesity
• Advocating that schools provide for 30-60 minutes of moderate to vigorous daily exercise in all grades as well as providing nutritional education
• Reserving pharmacotherapy, in combination with lifestyle modification, for the obese only after failure of a 6-month trial of lifestyle modification; and overweight children only if significant co-morbidities persist despite lifestyle modification
• The guidelines also discuss indications for bariatric surgery in youth

“Although it is important to treat the currently obese and overweight patients, over the long term it is paramount to think in terms of preventive measures,” said August.

Obesity or being overweight is seen as the most important health issue for U.S. children, according to a poll commissioned in 2006 by Research!America and The Endocrine Society. More than a quarter of Americans (27 percent) named obesity as the top health issue for kids.

Most obesity is caused by an energy imbalance—consuming more energy than the body expends. However, there are many genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors that can affect this imbalance.

“It is vital that Congress understands and addresses the obesity epidemic,” said August. “Adults and children are at risk for serious health problems unless we can come together to improve the prevention and treatment of this disease.”

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Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 14,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 80 countries. Together, these members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Md. To learn more about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit our web site at www.endo-society.org.