Practical Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity

The Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, MA

June 22 - 24, 2006

Program Directors

• George L. Blackburn, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
• Caroline M. Apovian, M.D., Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
• Lee M. Kaplan, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
• Scott A. Shikora, M.D., Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA

Rapid change in the science of obesity makes it particularly important to stay up-to-date with the latest research and treatment paradigms. Now in its 20th year, Practical Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity offers unique opportunities to learn from and interact with expert faculty from across the country, as well as participants from around the world. The course includes plenary lectures and concurrent sessions, broad coverage of the latest core topics and in-depth insight into specific subject areas. The program is designed to:

• Offer a complete overview of obesity science and medicine
• Provide current practical knowledge about the diagnosis and assessment of overweight and obesity
• Present the latest strategies and tools for the treatment of obesity
• Develop an understanding of present issues and future developments in the fields of weight loss surgery, pharmacotherapy, and obesity management

Course Objectives

This course is designed to help health care professionals implement practical
approaches to the clinical management of obesity. This includes the most current
information on risk assessment techniques, counseling, and effective and appropriate
treatment protocols for obesity and its co-morbidities.

Upon completion of this course, participants will have gained knowledge of:

• Identification and evaluation of overweight obesity in adults
• Therapeutic approaches to the treatment of obesity and its co-morbidities
• Strategies for long term weight management
• Counseling and behavior modification techniques
• Principles of body weight regulation
• The role of complimentary and alternative medicine in obesity management
• Pediatric issues and obesity
• Centers of Excellence in Weight Loss Surgery

Concurrent Sessions

Concurrent Sessions are designed to be interactive and provide more detailed information needed to apply and put into practice the knowledge presented in the plenary sessions. During each concurrent session, four topics are presented simultaneously in separate rooms.

This year, for the first time, we will be offering a special four-session track on obesity reimbursement. Please indicate your selections for Concurrent Sessions on the Registration Form.

The following topics will be offered:

• Pediatric Obesity: Strategies for Evaluation and Treatment
• Evaluation of the Severely Obese Patient
• Effective Obesity Counseling Strategies
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Treatment of Adolescents
• Women's Health
• Physical Activity
• Behavior Modification
• Anti-obesity Medications
• Center of Excellence for multidisciplinary treatment of severe obesity

You must register in advance for your sessions!

Who Should Attend

• Primary Care Physicians
• Family Practitioners
• Internists
• Endocrinologists
• Pediatricians
• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Surgeons
• Dietitians
• Nutritionists
• Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
• Health Educators
• Exercise Physiologists
• Physical Therapists
• Managed Care and Benefit Executives

Detailed information, including course description, program schedule, tuition and registration, can be found on the Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education web site.