(ACTION ON THIS RESOLUTION BY THE 1998 CONGRESS OF DELEGATES: The first and second resolved clauses were adopted and referred to the AAFP Commission on Public Health. The third resolved clause was referred to the AAFP Commission on Health Care Services)
RESOLUTION NO. 401
OBESITY AS A DISEASE
Introduced by the New Physicians Constituency
Referred to the Reference Committee on Public Health & Science
WHEREAS, The majority of scientific evidence points to obesity (defined as BMI>27) as a chronic, multi-factorial disease, and
WHEREAS, obesity is the number two preventable cause of death in the U.S. each year (second only to smoking), and
WHEREAS, many family physicians see obese patients and should treat obesity as they do other chronic diseases, and
WHEREAS, regular follow-up, weigh-ins, and encouragement by medical practitioners has been shown to be more effective than less intense follow-up for weight loss and maintenance, and
WHEREAS, many payers do not recognize obesity as a disease for which payment should be rendered, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the AAFP recognize obesity as a chronic disease and a national health risk for premature death, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the AAFP continue its educational efforts for family physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of obesity, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the AAFP advocate to make obesity a diagnosis that is covered by HCFA and other third party payors.
(Received 06/08/98)
(ACTION ON THIS RESOLUTION BY THE 1998 CONGRESS OF DELEGATES: Resolution No. 402 was NOT adopted and Substitute Resolution No. 402 was adopted. Substitute Resolution No. 402 reads as follows:
RESOLVED, That the AAFP support continuing medical education programs on the evaluation and treatment of childhood obesity, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the AAFP support policies that advocate nutritionally balanced meals, decreased television viewing, and increased physical activities for children at school and at home.
The first resolved of the Substitute Resolution was referred to the AAFP Commission on Continuing Medical Education and the second resolved clause was referred to the AAFP Commission on Public Health.
RESOLUTION NO. 402
CHILDHOOD OBESITY AWARENESS
Introduced by the New Physicians Constituency
Referred to the Reference Committee on Public Health & Science
WHEREAS, Obesity is the cause of 300,000 adult deaths and tremendous morbidity, missed work days and disability, and
WHEREAS, 80 percent of obese adolescents become obese adults, and
WHEREAS, childhood obesity has increased at least 50 percent since 1976, and
WHEREAS, television viewing at home, high fat diets at school and decreased physical activities at home and school contribute to increased risk of childhood obesity, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the AAFP support continuing medical education programs on the evaluation and treatment of childhood obesity, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the AAFP support policies that advocate low fat healthier school lunches, less television viewing by children at home and increased physical activities at school and home.
(Received 06/08/98)