2020 Obesity: Etiology, Prevention and Treatment, with ABOM Certification Exam Review

Lifestyle behaviors – including diet, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse, and tobacco use – have been linked to an increased risk of the leading causes of death and chronic diseases in the US and around the world. The challenge of reversing the obesity epidemic has highlighted the need for new ways to teach complex skill sets which effectively target lifestyle behaviors, particularly diet and physical activity. However, most health professionals (with the exception of registered dieticians) have little or no training in the science of nutrition, diet and physical activity. Moreover, health professionals lack training in facilitating behavior change. Many, in fact, do not engage in nutrition counseling at all.

The American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM), along with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), has established a credentialing protocol, which includes an exam for physicians to become certified in the field of obesity medicine. The Institute of Human Nutrition (IHN) at Columbia University is an ABOM Partner Organization; the IHN now offers its long-standing obesity course to prepare physicians for the ABOM exam, and to provide CME credits to help physicians meet the requirements to become a Diplomate of the ABOM.

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be better able to

• Discuss the role of nutrition in health and human disease as it relates to obesity management.
• Use nutrition counseling skills to help patients improve their diet.
• Use behavior counseling skills to help patients engage in healthy behaviors
• Apply exercise counseling strategies which can be conveyed to patients.