WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When obesity thought leaders representing public and private stakeholders convened here this past weekend for The AACE/ACE Consensus Conference of Obesity: Building an Evidence Base for Comprehensive Action, it was the realization of a years-long quest by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) to identify the myriad issues surrounding, and necessary steps for solving, the epidemic of obesity.

Today, AACE/ACE revealed the outcome of the conference: an evidence-based, multi-dimensional, comprehensive framework that will become an action plan of attack.

“Key findings include the need for an improved definition of obesity, high-quality research including evaluation of a complications-centric clinical approach to obesity, and better understanding of reimbursement mechanisms,” said conference chair W. Timothy Garvey, M.D.

“We also need to address the value associated with obesity prevention and management, increased nutrition and obesity education, and enhanced public awareness and health literacy,” said conference co-chair Alan J. Garber, M.D. PhD., F.A.C.E.

Daniel Einhorn, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E., ACE president said, “This is the most under-reimbursed major disease in the U.S.A.”

“Next steps include translating these findings into actionable recommendations for individual patients that are likely to succeed and developing logistics for effective implementation,” added AACE President and co-chair Jeffrey I. Mechanick, MD, FACP, FACE, FACN, ECNU.

The framework was derived from five fundamental questions intensely debated by participants divided into the following areas: biomedical; government and regulation; health industry and economics; and society, education and research.

The five questions were:

1. What is obesity?

2. What options are available for obesity management?

3. What is the optimal use of therapeutic modalities?

4. Can the framework be cost-effective?

5. What are the knowledge gaps and how can they be filled?

AACE’s Board of Directors declared obesity a disease state in July 2011. The association also was the author of the resolution adopted in June 2013 by the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates recognizing obesity as a disease.

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) represents more than 6,500 endocrinologists in the United States and abroad. AACE is the largest association of clinical endocrinologists in the world. The majority of AACE members is certified in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism and concentrate on the treatment of patients with endocrine and metabolic disorders including diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity. For more information, visit the AACE website at www.aace.com, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theaace or follow AACE on Twitter at @TheAACE.

About the American College of Endocrinology (ACE)

The American College of Endocrinology (ACE) is the educational, charitable and scientific arm of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE). ACE is the leader in advancing the care and prevention of endocrine and metabolic disorders by: providing professional education and reliable public health information; recognizing excellence in education, research and service; promoting clinical research and defining the future of Clinical Endocrinology. For more information about the College, visit www.aace.com/college. For more information about the endocrine system, visit the ACE-sponsored patient education website at www.empoweryourhealth.org.

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