About ABBM
The American Board of Bariatric Medicine (ABBM) is an independent medical specialty board responsible for certifying physicians in the field of Bariatric Medicine. The ABBM was originally organized as a committee of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) in 1970. Subsequently, in 1997 the ABBM was incorporated in the state of Colorado as an independent entity. Although the ABBM is not a medical specialty board of the American Board of Medical Specialties, our sister entity the ASBP was granted a seat in the AMA House of Delegates in 2001, which recognizes the ASBP as a specialty medical society.
The ABBM is the testing body for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who want to practice Bariatric Medicine or the non-surgical medical management of overweight and obese patients. Currently, we are the only board that administers a medical exam to certify and distinguish doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who practice Bariatric Medicine. Since administering the first exam in the early 1970s, the ABBM has certified close to 400 Diplomates.
What is Bariatric Medicine?
Bariatric Medicine is the medical specialty involved in treating obesity and its related co-morbidities. In 1985, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a Health Consensus Development Conference on the Health Implications of Obesity and designated obesity as a specific disease entity requiring treatment by trained physicians.
Being overweight or obese affects more than 200 million people across the nation. Sixty-four percent of Americans are overweight or obese resulting in economic costs of more than $117 billion to our healthcare system annually. Obesity has been established as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and many forms of cancer. In accordance with the ASBP/ABBM Bariatric Practice Guidelines, the ABBM advocates a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to the treatment of obesity and its related co-morbidities.
Why is certification important?
Bariatric Medicine is a recognized medical specialty that is increasingly needed. Certification ensures an elevated standard of care and makes certain doctors and other medical professionals have the knowledge to effectively treat patients. Obesity, its causes and treatments are widely debated. Allowing doctors to earn certification elevates the bariatric medical profession and collectively gives credence to medically accepted practices for managing and treating obesity and its related conditions.
Physician supervision is necessary to detect and treat weight-related medical conditions. A program supervised by a physician who is a board certified Diplomate of the ABBM and who has completed specialized training in Bariatric Medicine, offers a comprehensive and effective approach to maximizing overall health.
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