ABOM Continues Rapid Growth with 400+ New Diplomates

DENVER - Feb. 4, 2016 - PRLog -- More than 400 physicians were certified as obesity medicine specialists last week, when the results of the 2015 American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) certification exam were released by the National Board of Medical Examiners. With a record 429 examinees passing the test administered in December 2015, including 419 first-time diplomates, the total number of ABOM diplomates throughout the United States and Canada soared to nearly 1,600.

"We are excited to see this tremendous growth, because it means there are more physicians equipped with the tools necessary to treat the disease of obesity," said ABOM Executive Director Dana Brittan.

The 429 physicians who passed the test include 10 doctors who recertified. The latest group includes internists (141), family physicians (123), endocrinologists (33), pediatricians (28), obstetricians/gynecologists (24), gastroenterologists (14), and surgeons (10).

In the last two years, a total of 761 first-time diplomates have passed the ABOM exam. ABOM Board Chairman Dr. Louis Aronne points out that, according to 2014 data, there are now more obesity medicine physicians certified annually than certificates issued in infectious disease (341), endocrinology (299), rheumatology (202), or geriatric medicine (163).

"I'm excited to see that obesity medicine has become one of the fastest growing specialties in medicine," said Aronne. "The rapid growth of obesity medicine demonstrates that an increasing number of physicians understand that obesity is a disease that contributes to their patients' health and that training in obesity medicine is an important part of clinical practice."

About the American Board of Obesity Medicine

Established in 2011, the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) serves the public and the field of obesity medicine by maintaining standards for assessment and credentialing physicians. Certification as an ABOM diplomate signifies specialized knowledge in the practice of obesity medicine and distinguishes a physician as having achieved competency in obesity care. Learn more at www.abom.org.