ASBP Position Statements

Bariatric Physicians do not Support State Intervention for Childhood Obesity

The American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) does not support the concept that state intervention to remove a child from his or her home is the proper way to address life threatening cases of childhood obesity. Comprised of physicians involved in the frontline clinical treatment of obesity, the ASBP believes that in most cases this type of state intervention is extreme and unjustified. » read more

Overweight and Obesity Evaluation and Management

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Bariatric Physicians Question FDA Recommendations to Lower BMI Requirements for Lap-Band Surgery

The American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) is concerned to learn that the FDA advisory panel recently recommended lowering the BMI requirement for lap-band surgery, while the FDA has denied two new obesity medications within the past six months. Bariatric surgery is a drastic and expensive measure that carries higher morbidity and mortality risks than lifestyle interventions or medication1,2. Patients who could have otherwise lost weight in a quality non-surgical medical bariatric program may now be encouraged to skip medical therapy and jump directly to surgery if the treatment qualifications are lowered. » read more

ASBP Position On Use of VLCDs in the Treatment of Obesity

History The Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) using regular food was known in the 1920’s, but it was popularized in 1975 by Dr. George Blackburn1 in Boston using food, and by Drs Vertes and Genuth2,3 at the Cleveland Clinic using liquid meal replacements. It fell into disfavor when Dr. Robert Linn’s Last Chance Diet book was published in 19764. This diet used collagen as the protein source, made by hydrolyzing hoofs and hides of animals with acid and flavoring it with citrus flavorings4. Several people died, partly by starving due to the low biological value protein, electrolyte imbalance and prolonged QT interval leading to ventricular fibrillation5,6. These issues are well known now and are not a problem when the diet is monitored by a physician experienced in VLCD diet protocols. » read more

ASBP Position On Use of HCG in the Treatment of Obesity

History Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone normally secreted by the trophoblastic cells of the placenta during pregnancy. It was first described as a treatment for obesity in conjunction with a very low calorie diet by Dr. A. Simeons in 1954 [1]. The Simeons method consisted of a rigid diet of about 500 calories per day combined with 125 units of HCG injected six days per week for 8 weeks. For each of the two meals permitted daily, patients were instructed to select one item from each of four food groups, protein, vegetable, bread, and fruit. For protein servings patients were told to select from the following list: 3.5 ounces of meat, 3.75 ounces of fish, 4 ounces of Hoop cheese, or 6 egg whites. The latter two choices were to be selected occasionally [2]. The protein intake on the Simeons diet therefore ranged from about 45 to 50 grams per day. The Simeons method was very popular in the 1970s and advocates claimed that the method had numerous advantages including rapid weight loss with minimal hunger, no weakness, and dramatic loss of fat in the stomach, hips, thighs, and upper arms. » read more

ASBP Position On Obesity and Healthcare Reform

Overweight, obesity and abnormal fat cell function is an epidemic chronic progressive complex medical disease. Therefore it should be treated by physicians in a manner similar to other chronic medical conditions. » read more

Keywords: position statements health care reform health care reform and obesity health insurance

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