North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) Changes Its Name to NAASO, The Obesity Society

Vancouver, Canada, October 15, 2005 - Today, the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) announced its new name - NAASO, The Obesity Society. The announcement was made at the Opening Session of the scientific organization's 2005 Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada held from October 15 to 19.

NAASO, The Obesity Society, is the leading scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity. Since 1982, NAASO has been committed to improving the lives of those with obesity, nurturing careers of obesity scientists and practitioners and promoting the interdisciplinary nature of obesity research and education.

The name change better identifies the organization as the source of new, cutting-edge research on obesity-related topics for health care professionals, opinion leaders, journalists, consumers, and other stakeholders. The name retains the integrity and reputation NAASO has built over the years and recognizes the international nature of the association.

"With more than 60 percent of all Americans classified as overweight, obese or morbidly obese, we felt it was crucial that consumers, health care professionals, policy leaders and reporters know where to turn for updated, reliable and credible scientific information on obesity," said Louis Aronne, MD, President, NAASO, The Obesity Society; and Clinical Professor of Medicine, Weill - Cornell University Medical College, New York City.

The name change was discussed at the organization's 2004 annual scientific meeting and passed by vote of the association's member in February 2005. It became official today at the association's annual conference where more than 250 sessions representing the newest studies in obesity are being presented to 2,000 conference attendees.

As part of its meeting activities, NAASO, The Obesity Society, will welcome a new president, Thomas A. Wadden, PhD, Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; and Director, Weight & Eating Disorder Program. Dr. Wadden will assume the association's presidency on October 18, 2005 at 5:30 p.m.

For more information about the conference or NAASO, The Obesity Society, contact Sheri Singer, 703.346.7111, ssinger@singercomm.com; pressroom: 604.647.7434. Or log onto www.naaso.org.