The Obesity Society Newsletter: April 2009

In this newsletter I wish to update you on three important initiatives that will shape our future--a proposed change in Bylaws, the search for a new executive director, and an obesity medicine physician credentialing examination.

Bylaws Change
All Obesity Society Fellows have received by mail a proposed change in bylaws regarding the structure of the council. Currently, all council members are elected as 'at-large' members without a specific area of responsibility. The proposed bylaws change will restructure the council to represent the five strategic areas: scientific-basic science; scientific-population/epidemiology; clinical-science; clinical-care; and advocacy. There will still be four 'at-large' council members, along with one IASO representative. The new bylaws will also mandate that at least one council member must be elected from both Canada and Mexico to maintain our North American regional representation. Please review the bylaws change and vote your approval.

Search for New Executive Director
We have contracted with the search firm, Transition Management Consulting (TMC), to assist us with our Executive Director (ED) search. Thus far, the search committee has identified the qualities, skills and attributes that our new ED should posess. The position is currently posted on www.obesity.org. The first and second round interviews have been scheduled for June 1-2 and June 17, respectively. You will have an opportunity to meet our new ED at the annual meeting in Washington, DC on October 24-28, 2009.

Obesity Medicine Physician Credentialing Examination
Over the next week, an online survey will be sent to over 1000 physicians who engage in obesity care. This survey will determine the importance of and time spent in a number of knowledge domains unique to the obesity specialist. In June, we will be beginning phase 2 of the examination process, which entails writing item questions. The examination process will be completed in 2010. If you are interested in participating in this process, please contact Bill Scott at bscott@obesity.org.

Robert Kushner, MD
President, The Obesity Society

IASO Representative to The Obesity Society Council Elected

IASO Regional Vice-President Election Results

The election for the new IASO Regional Vice-President for North America of The Obesity Society has closed.

Dr. Richard L. Atkinson has been elected IASO Regional Vice-President for North America, representing the North American region (United States, Canada, and Mexico). He will serve for a six-year term.

Obesity 2009 Updates

Abstract Submission Deadline Extended to April 24, 2009

The deadline for Abstract Submission is extended to Friday, April 24, 2009. For guidelines on abstract submission, please see the Obesity 2009 Abstract Guidelines.

Abstracts for Obesity 2009 are organized into the following thematic tracks relating to obesity:

Cellular and Molecular Biology
Integrative Biology
Clinical Studies
Population Studies
Clinical/Professional Practice

The Obesity Society's Annual Meeting is one of the best venues for presenting new clinical and basic obesity science. Over eight percent of submitted abstracts are selected as oral presentations. For young investigators submitting excellent abstracts, The Obesity Society's Ethan Sims Young Investigator Award and Pat Simons Travel Awards offer funds that support travel to the meeting.

Don't forget! You can find information and updates about Obesity 2009 on our website at:
www.obesity.org/obesity2009/

SECTION MEETINGS AT OBESITY 2009

Special-interest sections are a vibrant part of The Obesity Society. These communities are self-governed and meet at the annual scientific meeting each year. They elect their own leadership and represent the interests of the section before the organization as a whole. A member of the council serves as liaison to each section. Sections conduct a business meeting at the annual scientific meeting and develop a work plan for council approval. Members of the organization sign up for section membership when they join, but may change affiliation. Currently there are sections in the following areas:

★ Bariatric Surgery ★ Latin American Affairs
★ Clinical Management ★ Obesity and Cancer
★ Epidemiology ★ Pediatric Obesity
★ Health Services Research ★ Prader Willi Syndrome

At Obesity 2009, sections are scheduled to meet on Sunday, October 25, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. If you have questions about how to join a section or contact members of a specific section, please contact Sadie Campbell (scampbell@obesity.org) in the national office.

PEDIATRIC SECTION ACTIVITIES AT OBESITY 2009

Oded Bar-Or Award for Excellence in Pediatric Obesity Research
Sunday, October 25, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

★ Drs. Michael Goran and Melinda Sothern will be awarded the 2009 Oded Bar-Or Award for Excellence in Pediatric Obesity Research. The award will be presented by Dr. William H. Dietz.
★ Dr. Michael Goran will present a lecture, entitled "The Future of Pediatric Obesity Research."
★ The section will hold a reception in honor of Drs. Michael Goran and Melinda Sothern, hosted by the Washington, DC office of the University of Southern California.

GSK Consumer Healthcare's alli� Clinical Research Grant Program

RFA: Clinical Pilot Studies in Obesity

The alli� Clinical Research Grant Program is pleased to announce an opportunity for investigators interested in performing a clinical pilot study (up to 1 year) using orlistat 60 mg. Possible study questions to be explored include, but are not limited to the:

Effects of orlistat on disease states (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, NASH, CVD)
Effects of orlistat on feeding behavior (binge eating disorders, eating patterns)
Effects of orlistat on gene expression
Role of orlistat as a weight loss tool

Studies may be blinded controlled, open label or in vitro. Orlistat 60 mg cannot be used in any animal studies. Any application for animal studies will not be reviewed. Applicants are asked to submit:

� An Application Form
� A Full Research Protocol
� A Full CV for Principal Investigator (PI)
� An IRB Approval Letter (Necessary for commencement of study)

Awards of $25,000 (including supplies) will be awarded to up to 2 proposals. There are no indirects costs provided with this grant program. Clinical packaging, labeling and storage of orlistat 60 mg and statistical support will be considered on an individual basis.

All proposals will be reviewed and approved based upon the scientific quality of the study and its alignment with GSK's ethical and commercial interests. In some cases, the PI may be required to open an Investigator IND.

All funded trials are required to register with the National Clinical Trial Registry.

Data obtained from these studies may be used to support claims for orlistat 60 mg products.

All questions and proposals should be submitted electronically to:
Dr. Evan Berk at evan.s.berk@gsk.com

The Deadline for Submission is May 15, 2009
Recipients of Grant will be notified by June 30, 2009
Funding/Supplies to be available by September 30, 2009
Study to be completed by September 30, 2010
Final Report to GSK is due January 1, 2011

In addition to this research grant program, GSK Consumer Healthcare continues to offer a clinical supplies only program. There is no deadline to apply for this option and applications are evaluated on a rolling decision process.

National Conference on Childhood Obesity:
Confronting the Epidemic through Nutrition Research and Policy

--The Cancer Project, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and The American College of Lifestyle Medicine, in partnership with Johns Hopkins Center for Livable Future

The two-day conference, Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19, 2009, in Washington, DC, will feature top scientists and policy experts sharing their groundbreaking research and proposing unique solutions to the childhood obesity epidemic. The premier roster of speakers will present ideas for nutrition policy reform, practical propositions, and plans for community action. In addition, physicians, nurses and dietitians may earn continuing education credits.

Conference speakers and panelists include:

David Barker, MD

Neal Barnard, MD

Frank Biro, MD

Eric Finkelstein, PhD

Mikael Knip, MD, PhD:

David Ludgwig, MD, PhD

Darlene Moppert, MS, RD, LD/N

Anne Palmer

Barry Popkin, PhD

Geetha Raghuveer, MD, MPH

Joan Sabat�, MD, DrPH

Katie Wilson, PhD, SNS

Registration, tuition, and additional information about the conference are available online at: www.ChildhoodObesityConference.org

About Us

The Obesity Society

8630 Fenton Street
Suite 814
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
301-563-6526 phone

301-563-6595 fax

www.obesity.org

If you have questions or information for potential inclusion in the newsletter, please let us know:

Jane Pratt, Director of Communications

jpratt@obesity.org

Lauren Davis, Communications Assistant

ldavis@obesity.org

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