Leading Clinicians and Industry to Explore Solutions for Current Obesity Epidemic
The Cleveland Clinic Endocrine and Metabolism Institute will host a national meeting on obesity Sept. 10-12, drawing leading physicians, surgeons and industry to explore potential solutions to the emerging obesity epidemic.
The Obesity Summit 2008 will take place at the Intercontinental Hotel & Bank of America Conference Center Cleveland.
“Obesity is the fastest growing public health issue we face across the globe, affecting adults and children alike,” said Philip Schauer, M.D., Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Bariatric and Metabolic Institute and Past President of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery. “This year’s Obesity Summit will bring together world-renowned physicians, and others dedicated to the treatment of obesity to share information on leading-edge treatments and practices.”
Featured physicians and topics to be covered at the 2008 Obesity Summit include:
- Gary D. Foster, Ph.D., Professor, Medicine and Public Health and Director, Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, will be discussing Macronutrient Approach to Weight Loss.
- John B. Dixon, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., of Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute Melbourne, Australia, will be discussing Weight Loss as Definitive Treatment for Diabetes.
- Steven Nissen, M.D., M.A.C.C., Chairman, the Robert and Suzanne Tomsich Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, will be discussing Rimonabant: The Promise and Limitations.
- Lars Sjöström, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Body Composition and Metabolism at Sahlgrenska University in Goteborg, Sweden, will be discussing Long-term Weight Loss and Mortality: The S.O.S. Study.
- Steve Haffner, M.D., Professor, Department of Medicine-Epidemiology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, will be discussing Metabolic-Cardiovascular Syndrome: Advances in Treatments.
For a brochure/agenda about the Obesity Summit, please email: guzzon@ccf.org
To register, please visit the Cleveland Clinic’s website.
Approximately 2/3 of U.S. residents are overweight (with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25), and nearly half of those are obese (a BMI greater than 30), making obesity a major public health issue. Obesity is linked to an increase in other dangerous conditions including heart disease, several types of cancer, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, stroke, asthma, sleep apnea, liver disease and a number of orthopaedic problems. Healthcare costs related to obesity are estimated to exceed $102 billion, according to the American Obesity Association.
The Bariatric and Metabolic Institute (BMI) at Cleveland Clinic has been designated a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. It is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to treating and caring for morbidly obese patients through surgical and medical means and research. The BMI team is comprised of professionals from many disciplines: surgeons, anesthesiologists, physicians, psychologists, specialized nurses, special fellows (bariatric surgeons receiving advanced training), dietitians, coordinators and clerical personnel. For more information, please visit www.clevelandclinic.org/bariatric_surgery/default.aspx.
About the Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for-profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey.
Approximately 1,800 full-time salaried physicians and researchers at Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida represent more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties. In 2007, there were 3.5 million outpatient visits to Cleveland Clinic and 50,455 hospital admissions. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 80 countries. Cleveland Clinic’s Web site address is www.clevelandclinic.org.
Media Relations Contact
Natalie Guzzo, 216.444.5703
