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Places To Find Qualified Bariatric Doctors

By Carl Green


Medicine is a wide discipline that has several subcategories, which are dedicated to the study of various medical conditions, disorders, and diseases that people suffer from. The branch of medicine that deals with the study of causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of obesity in people is called bariatrics. The medical practitioners who specialize in this branch of medicine are called bariatric physicians or bariatricians. The two terms are used interchangeably. New York is one of the states that have many highly qualified bariatric doctors.

The year 1965 is when the term bariatrics was coined. The term originated from the Greek language. When translated into the English language, the word gives the meaning of pertaining to treatment of weight. The profession comprises of different approaches to loss of weight including exercise, dieting, and behavioral therapy. There are other meanings associated with the term in the medicine profession too.

In the world over, especially in developed countries, overweight and obesity are rising medical concerns. In America, the CDC approximates that more than a third of the adult population is obese. If the current trend in obesity continues, it has been approximated that a minimum of 44 percent of all people in every American state will be obese by 2030. That makes the need for bariatricians greater than ever. These professionals treat people with a body mass index BMI of over 30.

Research has proved that susceptibility to certain health problems is higher in individual who have an BMI value placed above 30. Some of the health conditions they are susceptible to include asthma, heart disease, different forms of cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic musculoskeletal problems, and obstructive sleep apnea. In most cases overweight people cannot solve the problem, making the service of bariatricians very necessary.

Treatment of obesity can be done using many different methods. First-line treatments usually include behavior therapy, anti-obesity drugs, exercise, and diet. These methods are not very effective and are known to have very limited success in the short-term while long-term success is outright poor. That leaves weight loss surgery as the main alternative left. Surgery has been determined to be relatively more effective than conventional treatment methods in both the short and long-term.

There are a lot of academic qualifications that need to be attained for one to become a bariatrician. A good starting point is graduating with an MD from an accredited school of medicine. Courses in medicine conclude with supervised clinical rotations for two years. Residency program comes afterward. Most residency programs take 3-7 years.

One must also be licensed to practice. Licensing process comes after completing residency program. There is a licensing exam that American practitioners must take to be licensed. Additionally, there is a board certification in obesity medicine that one must acquire. Candidates are helped with preparation by the board through provision of certification review courses and workshops every year.

Opportunities are available for one to further their qualification. Accreditation is also provided by various professional organizations to members. This field is relatively young and very dynamic. As such, practitioners need to stay abreast with new changes and inventions.




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