Over the past two years, the Endocrine Society has identified obesity as an item worthy of pursuit on its legislative agenda because of the overwhelming health concerns associated with the condition and its co-morbidities. The Society’s membership includes many of the caregivers who are battling to help stem the tide of obesity, such as researchers into the causes of obesity, those working to create pharmacological treatments for obesity, clinical researchers studying potential treatments, and practicing clinicians treating obese patients and their co-morbidities. Our members recognize that every possible solution, including public policy, must be pursued to reduce the incidence of obesity. As the representative of leaders in the field of obesity research and treatment, the Society must play an integral role in any public policy solutions regarding obesity.

The Society’s objective regarding obesity is simple, but broad in scope: to examine all causes and contributing factors to obesity, and to find solutions and treatments for those causes. Several important policy initiatives have been launched over the last few years, including the creation of the Obesity Research Task Force by the NIH (National Institutes of Health), the goal of which is to examine obesity as a public health concern and determine its relevance to NIH’s mission. The task force released its draft Strategic Plan for Obesity Research in February 2004. The plan calls for NIH to undertake research exploring obesity prevention and treatment through lifestyle modification, pharmacologic and surgical approaches, and further examination of the link between obesity and its associated health conditions. The task force’s vision will help shape the future of obesity research. Some of the Society’s advocacy efforts are directed at maintaining the federal funding necessary to ensure adequate implementation of the strategic plan’s goals.

Another policy being considered by Congress and supported by the Society is the Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act (IMPACT). The IMPACT Act, sponsored by Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) and passed by the Senate in the 108th Congress, was intended to be a broad-based reform of obesity policy that primarily promoted enhanced physical activity and caregiver education by:

* providing training for health professionals and health science students to help them identify risk factors and prevent obesity;

* funding nutrition education through the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention);

* assisting local communities by encouraging increased physical activity through the creation of walking and bike paths;

* assisting with curriculum development at the state level to help students make healthy choices regarding nutrition and physical activity; and

* aiding clinics that serve those minority populations who are disproportionately affected by weight disorders to implement obesity prevention and treatment programs.

Unfortunately, the IMPACT Act was never heard in the House and must be reintroduced in 2005. While the failure of this act to become law was disheartening, it could also become an opportunity to create new, more comprehensive legislation in the 109th Congress.

The Society would like to expand the reach and scope of obesity public policy. In the coming year, we hope to examine legislation specifically targeting the pediatric population. New public policy initiatives might also include working with businesses and federal government employers to assist them in helping their employees lose weight.

The underlying causes of obesity continue to be hot topics of investigation among clinical and basic endocrine researchers. Endocrinologists are working to determine the root causes of obesity, including the factors regulating food intake, energy expenditure, body weight, and complications associated with the condition. Research is also being conducted to examine the potential efficacy of agents derived from gastrointestinal or gastrointestinal-related hormones that affect hunger and satiety. Such research is important as the prevalence of obesity increases and the demand for additional treatment options and alternatives continues to rise. One of our primary advocacy objectives is to lobby Congress on the importance of fully funding research agencies like the NIH so that potential breakthroughs in obesity research can become reality.

Several state and local governments are attempting to combat childhood overweight through legislation, particularly within the school setting. Members of some state legislatures are drafting and adopting legislation that increases physical education requirements, while underscoring the importance of nutrition and health curricula. In some local communities, consumer groups and lawmakers are working to curb the sale of snack foods and carbonated beverages on school campuses. Educating youth about overweight will ultimately aid in the fight against obesity. While the Society’s limited resources prevent a state-by-state legislative campaign, we hope to learn from state pilot programs and push for similar reforms at the federal level.