PHILADELPHIA -- (August 24, 2001) The American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP-ASIM) has released “Obesity,” a new book in its Key Diseases series. Edited by Barry Gumbiner, MD, the book is a physician’s guide for diagnosis and management of a common, frustrating disorder for patients and practitioners.
“Obesity will be the major chronic health problem of this century,” said Dr. Gumbiner, “Yet progress in understanding obesity has not kept pace with the magnitude of this public health dilemma.” Gumbiner is Associate Director of Clinical Research in Endocrinology and Metabolism for Merck Research Laboratories and former Medical Director of the Indiana University Center for Weight Management.
Obesity rates increased 30 percent between 1980 and 1994, carrying a 70 million dollar price tag in direct health care costs for the United States, according to Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH, writing about the epidemiology of obesity. The book’s 12 chapters address: medical assessment and treatment, nutritional intervention, physical activity and exercise, weight loss surgery, nutrition, and pharmacologic treatment. Contributing editors included physicians, surgeons, nutritionists, psychologists and psychiatrists.
Each chapter ends with a summary of key points, and references. Three clinical vignettes at the end of the book provide case-study exercises for physicians.
“Obesity” is the fifth title in the ACP-ASIM Key Diseases series. Launched in 1998, the series presents the current state of medical knowledge on a particular topic, presented in a clinical context that’s relevant to everyday primary care practice. Other titles in the series include “Dyspepsia,” “Lyme Disease,” “HIV,” and “Depression.”
The American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP-ASIM) is dedicated to the advancement of internal medicine so that its members can provide the best quality care for their patients. A nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia, it is the second-largest physician group in the United States. Its mission is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine. ACP-ASIM’s publishing program includes journals such as Annals of Internal Medicine, electronic products, and books for the medical community and general reader.
331 pages, softcover; 2001
Non-ACP-ASIM member price $38.00; members $30.00
ORDER FROM: ACP-ASIM Customer Service, 800-523-1546, ext. 2600; or 215-351-2600. Ask for product number 330301500. Or visit www.acponline.org/catalog. E-mail custserv@mail.acponline.org