For Physicians

National obesity rate to reach 42 percent by 2030

A new study predicts that despite a recent deceleration in the nation's trend toward obesity, 42 percent of Americans will be obese by 2030.

Scaling back the forecast from previous estimates, which placed the 2030 obesity rate at 51 percent, the study suggests that the pace at which Americans have become overweight over the last several decades may be leveling off. At the same time, the study projects much faster growth in the severely obese population with an increase of 130 percent over the next two decades. By 2030, more than one in 10 Americans would be severely obese.

With estimates of the annual medical costs of obesity as high as $147 billion a year, the predicted increase in obesity would add a $550 billion burden to the U.S. health care system.

The Institute of Medicine issued a report last week that provides a comprehensive set of solutions to address the nation's obesity epidemic. Among the recommendations are required physical education and activity in schools, healthier food options in schools and restaurants, and nutritional standards for food marketed to children.

The AMA provides a set of continuing medical education (CME) activities to help physicians talk about healthy behaviors with their adult patients in a way that may spark positive changes for their families. Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, these activities include a detailed monograph, patient handouts and two videos that feature physicians addressing this issue with their adult patients.

Physicians also can use a number of patient-focused resources from the AMA's Healthier Life Steps® program to help their patients establish healthy habits regarding diet, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption.

Network with top medical groups at AMA career fair

Physicians with an eye on future employment can attend the AMA's first-ever Group Practice Career Fair June 15 and network with some of the top medical groups in the country.

Held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, the career fair will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central time at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Open to all physicians and medical students, attendees will have an opportunity to connect with the following medical groups and organizations:

• Advocate Health Care, Illinois
• Aurora Health System, Wisconsin
• Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
• Geisinger Health System, Pennsylvania
• Henry Ford Health System, Michigan
• Mayo Clinic, Minnesota
• McFarland Clinic, Iowa
• Permanente Medical Group, California
• Scott & White, Texas
• Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, Washington

Representatives from the JAMA Career Center also will be on hand.

To attend this free event, be sure to register by the June 1 deadline. Presdo Match, a social networking tool, will be used as part of the registration process to help exhibitors learn about registrants in advance of the event and identify candidates of particular interest. The tool allows attendees to network, create or connect to their LinkedIn profile and request meetings with exhibitors.