Number of Physicians Applying for Obesity Medicine Certification Soars to Nearly 900

American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) reports 22% increase in obesity medicine certification applications

DENVER--()--Interest in obesity medicine continues to rise as nearly 900 physicians apply for certification. That’s according to the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM), which reports today that 890 physicians have applied to take the 2019 ABOM certification exam. Physicians who successfully complete certification are designated Diplomates of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

Certification as an ABOM diplomate signifies specialized knowledge in the practice of obesity medicine and distinguishes a physician as having achieved competency in obesity care. The number of applicants represents a more than 22 percent increase from the previous class of applicants. Over the past two years, more than 1,600 doctors have applied for ABOM certification.

“The board was created in 2011 with a vision that all patients with obesity will someday have access to quality care,” said John Cleek, M.D., Chairman of the ABOM Board of Directors. “With ABOM’s continued growth, we are getting closer to that goal.”

The 2019 exam candidates represent more than a dozen fields of medicine, including: internal medicine (36%); family medicine (29%); surgery (5%); endocrinology (5%); pediatrics (5%); and OB/GYN (4%). The diplomate candidates come from 45 states and include 39 physicians from Canada. The 2019 test will be administered February 25-28, 2019, at computer-based testing centers throughout the United States and Canada.

“It is encouraging to see the sustained growth of physicians choosing to engage in the obesity medicine certification process,” said ABOM Executive Director Dana Brittan, MBA. “It shows that obesity medicine has gained a strong foothold within the medical community, and the certification process is providing a valuable resource to physicians looking to help their patients battle the obesity epidemic.”

Officially recognized as a disease by the American Medical Association in 2013, obesity now affects nearly 35 percent of U.S. adults, contributing to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke and other musculoskeletal and vascular problems. Most doctors want to help patients lose weight, but most have little or no training in weight management and nutrition.

The ABOM was founded in 2011 to serve the public and the field of obesity medicine by maintaining standards for the assessment and credentialing of candidate physicians who seek recognition of their accomplishments in obesity medicine. Today, there are more than 2,650 certified obesity medicine physicians throughout the United States and Canada.

The continued increase in the number of physicians across multiple specialties seeking ABOM diplomate status demonstrates significant interest from the medical community in understanding effective treatment options and practical tools for obesity and weight management. Obesity medicine certification also has the potential to add value to hospitals and other medical institutions that want to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise their staff brings to patient care and research.

About the American Board of Obesity Medicine

The American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) serves the public and the field of obesity medicine through the examination and certification of candidate physicians who seek recognition of their accomplishments and knowledge in obesity medicine. Physicians who complete the ABOM certification process are designated Diplomates of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. To find an ABOM-certified obesity medicine physician, search our directory of diplomates. For more information about how ABOM certification can benefit you or your practice, visit www.abom.org, call 303-770-9100 or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Contacts

Armada Medical Marketing
Dan Snyders, 303-623-1190 x230
dan@armadamedical.com

Release Summary

A record 890 physicians have applied to take the 2019 American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) exam to gain certification in obesity medicine

Contacts

Armada Medical Marketing
Dan Snyders, 303-623-1190 x230
dan@armadamedical.com