The American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) announced it will be changing its name to Obesity Medicine Association to better emphasize its commitment to addressing the under-recognized epidemic of obesity through the unified efforts of its affiliated healthcare professionals.

“ASBP has a rich history as the leading voice in obesity education, awareness, and treatment, and the decision to change the name to OMA derives from the need to better communicate what we represent and our approach to treatment,” said Eric C. Westman, MD, MHS, president of ASBP. “As an organization, we aim to not only be a valuable resource to members and the patients we serve, but to be recognized and fully understood by the medical community, patients, medical students, and consumers.”

This change will help the organization realign its mission to match that of the American Medical Association’s, which is to recognize obesity as a chronic disease. The name change also helps clarify what the Association stands for, as the term “bariatric” is commonly associated with bariatric surgery, and use of the term “obesity” makes it easier for the public to know what the Association and its affiliates are focused on. Changing the name to OMA will also define who its members are, which are physicians and allied health care providers, such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and many others who all work synergistically to address obesity.

“As we grow and move forward, it is important that our name not only support our rich history, but also pave the way for our promising future,” said Deborah Bade Horn, DO, MPH, FASBP, president-elect of ASBP. “For 65 years we have been a sound voice within the medical and obesity treatment community, and we will continue to build on that reputation as the Obesity Medicine Association.”

Those interested in learning more about the organization’s name change to Obesity Medicine Association may contact ASBP at [email protected].

In a previous report, a new issue of the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, researchers from the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health Austin Regional Campus published a series of articles focusing on how to solve the problem of obesity during childhood.  One review was published under the title, “The Science of Childhood Obesity: An Individual to Societal Framework.”