Johnson earns obesity medicine certification

The American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) this week announced that more than 720 physicians passed its board certification test administered in February 2019. William Johnson, MD, Center for Women’s Health and Center for Weight Loss in New Albany, was one of the 720 physicians who received board certified in obesity medicine. Dr. Johnson has been a physician for over twenty years and sees the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight.

Obesity medicine is a growing specialty area

The number of physicians who are board certified in obesity medicine now exceeds 3,370 in the United States and Canada. A record 726 examinees passed the ABOM exam, establishing obesity medicine as one of the fastest growing fields in medicine. This represents a 27 percent increase in the total number of ABOM diplomates compared to the previous year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity affects nearly 40 percent of U.S. adults, and is associated with higher risks for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke and other musculoskeletal and vascular problems. Obesity has been officially recognized as a disease by the American Medical Association since 2013, and most doctors want to help patients lose weight. However, physicians often have little or no training in weight management and nutrition and are unfamiliar with appropriate management and treatment guidelines.

“The growth of obesity medicine board certification mirrors the rise in interest among physicians seeking a more evidence-based approach to treating patients coping with obesity,” said Dana Brittan, ABOM executive director.

According to Dr. Rekha Kumar, medical director for ABOM, board certification sends a strong signal to patients and referring physicians in the community that the diplomate is prepared to help address the complex challenges that obesity presents.

Many choosing to treat obesity itself, rather than its results

Many physicians are more comfortable treating the problems caused by obesity rather than the disease itself. However, Dr. Kumar said the increase in the number of physicians and specialties achieving ABOM diplomate status demonstrates significant interest from the medical community in understanding effective treatment options and practical tools for obesity and weight management.

“ABOM certification has the potential to add value to hospitals and other medical institutions that want to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise their staff contributes to patient care and research,” Kumar said.

ABOM diplomates come from a wide spectrum of medical disciplines and specialists with primary care specialties comprising the largest number of diplomates, said Dr. John Cleek, ABOM Board chairman.

“The strong showing from the primary care community is promising because PCPs are often in the best position to treat obesity,” Dr. Cleek said.

The 726 physicians who passed the most recent ABOM certification exam include internists (279), family physicians (202), endocrinologists (37), pediatricians (36), surgeons (34), obstetricians/gynecologists (30), and gastroenterologists (21), along with numerous other specialists.

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, with ABOM diplomates incorporating obesity medicine into their everyday practices or devoting themselves full time to the treatment of obesity. The number of first-time ABOM certificates issued annually now exceeds those of other fields such as infectious disease, endocrinology and rheumatology.

For more information regarding Dr. William Johnson, contact the Center for Weight Loss located at 403 Doctor’s Drive in New Albany or call (662) 534-0890.