Over 60 percent of the adult population in Florida is clinically overweight or obese and at risk for obesity-related disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease. One of the national health objectives for the year 2010 is to reduce prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15 percent. However, healthcare providers face many challenges in implementing the guidelines for obesity treatment. Nationally recognized faculty will provide practical approaches into recognizing and treating obesity, and an overview of community-based resources for the prevention of obesity and promotion of wellness. Participants will understand the medical, economic, and societal burden of the obesity epidemic across age, gender, and race/ethnicity, emphasizing the impact of childhood obesity and obesity in the elderly.

The University of South Florida College of Medicine adheres to the ACCME Standards
regarding commercial support of continuing medical education. It is the policy of the USF College of Medicine that the faculty and planning committee disclose real or apparent conflicts of interest relating to the topics of this educational activity, that relevant conflict(s) of interest are resolved and also that speakers will disclose any unlabeled/unapproved use of drug(s) or device(s) during their presentation. Detailed disclosure will be made in the course syllabus.

Participants are encouraged to submit an abstract for poster presentation at the 2008 9th Annual Conference on Obesity, September 19-21, 2008 at The Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando, Florida. This conference is for healthcare providers, professionals, and students with an interest in the education, promotion, treatment and research of obesity.

All abstract proposals must be submitted electronically using the link below by August 28, 2008. Applicants will be notified by e-mail whether their abstract proposal was accepted for poster presentation by September 3, 2008.

Who should submit?
Participants are invited to submit an abstract for poster presentation. We welcome submissions describing original research in any area of obesity research including clinical studies of obesity, Type II diabetes and other related comorbidities, bariatric and metabolic surgery, population-based studies, and the public health implications of the obesity epidemic.

Electronic Submission Guidelines:

1. All abstract proposals must be received electronically no later than August 28, 2008. (If you are unable to submit electronically, please contact Craig Bobik at 813-974-5725). The application may be found on the conference web site www.cme.hsc.usf.edu/obesity2008. Please download the application and enter your information. Save the application as a (.doc) with your last name in the file name. Email the file to Tracy Torrella at ttorrell@health.usf.edu.
   
2. 2. Only the primary author will be listed in the syllabus. Additional authors may be listed in the heading of the abstract.
3. The abstract should conform to the following guidelines:
   1. Title
   2. Name and degree of each author
   3. Institution/agency where research or project was conducted
   4. The abstract body (no more than 250 words) should include: Objective; Materials/Methods; Results; Conclusions
   5. If your presentation is accepted, your registration fee for the conference will be waived.

This conference is designed to address a multidisciplinary national audience of primary care providers including general and family practitioners, pediatricians, endocrinologists, gynecologists, clinical psychologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and dietitians in private practice or the public health setting.

Upon completion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

• Implement the latest obesity practice guidelines as part of daily patient care
  
• Make treatment decisions based on the advantages and disadvantages of the latest
  obesity surgical techniques
  
• Develop and use clinical skills to identify, evaluate, and treat obesity and
  its related comorbidities with special emphasis on diabetes and ‘metabolic wellness’
  
• Implement a practical interdisciplinary practice approach to obesity, educating and
  motivating patients towards behavior modification (e.g. Brief Motivational Interviewing)
  
• Evaluate the rationale and efficacy of pharmaceutical interventions and nascent drug
  therapies targeting the treatment of obesity
  
• Utilize population-based intervention strategies and cultural competencies
  to engage communities in living healthier lifestyles
  
• Evaluate political advocacy and social marketing techniques in the fight against obesity
  
• Initiate efforts for the prevention of obesity and diabetes
  
• Implement the latest treatment strategies related to insulin resistance
  
• Utilize office-based management of diabesity in children and adolescents

PHYSICIANS: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of South Florida College of Medicine and Tampa General Hospital. The University of South Florida College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of South Florida College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 11.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

NURSES (ANCC): The University of South Florida College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity is for 11.75 contact hours.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS: AAPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for Category I credit from AOACCME, Prescribed credit from AAFP, and AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 11.75 hours of Category 1 credits for completing this program.

DIETITIANS: The University of South Florida, College of Public Health, CO001 is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) from 2/22/07 to 2/21/10. Registered dietitian (RDS) and dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) will receive up to 11.75 continuing professional education units (CPEUs) for completion of this program/materials. Continuing Professional Education ovider Accreditation does not constitute endorsement by CDR of a provider, program or materials.

PSYCHOLOGISTS: The University of South Florida College of Medicine is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The University of South Florida College of Medicine maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program is accredited for up to 11.75 contact hours.

Workshop on Brief Motivational Interviewing
Rita DeBate, PhD
Perry Kaly, PhD

Social Marketing of Obesity Prevention: The Physician’s Role
William Smith, EdD

Workshop on Coding and Reimbursement for Obesity and Weight Management
Vincent Zeringue

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

7:15 am – 8:00 am

8:00 am – 8:15 am

8:15 am – 9:00 am

9:00 am – 9:45 am

9:45 am – 10:15 am

10:15 am – 11:00 am

11:00 am – 11:45 am

11:45 am – 12:30 pm

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

1:30 pm – 2:15 pm

2:15 pm – 3:00 pm

7:15 am – 8:00 am

8:00 am – 8:45 am

8:45 am – 9:30 am

9:30 am – 10:00 am

10:00 am – 10:45 am

10:45 am – 11:30 am

Denise Edwards, MD
Assistant Professor
Pediatrics & Internal Medicine
USF Health
Tampa, FL

Arthur Agatston, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Miami Miller School of Medicine
Miami, FL

Louis Aronne, MD
Clinical Professor Internal Medicine
Cornell University
Weill Medical College
New York City, NY

Rita DeBate, PhD
Associate Professor
Community & Family Health
USF College of Public Health
Tampa, FL

Perry Kaly, PhD
Clinical Professor, USF Health
Licensed Psychologist
FL Medical Psychology Association
Tampa, FL

Lee Kaplan, MD, PhD
Director, MGH Weight Center
Associate Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MS

John Malone, MD
Co-Director, USF Diabetes Center
Professor of Pediatrics
USF College of Medicine
Tampa, FL

Arshag Mooradian, MD
Professor and Chair of Medicine
University of Florida
Jacksonville, FL

Anthony Morrison, MD
Professor of Internal Medicine
USF College of Medicine
Tampa, FL

Patrick O'Neil, PhD
Director, Weight Management Center
Department of Psychiatry
& Behavioral Sciences
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC

Michael Rosenbaum, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Pediatrics & Medicine
Associate Program Director
General Clinical Research Center
Columbia University College
of Physicians & Surgeons
New York City, NY

Edward Saltzman, MD
Medical Director,
Obesity Consult Center
Assistant Professor
Tufts University School of Medicine
Boston, MS

Ana Viamonte Ros, MD, MPH
Surgeon General
Florida Department of Health
Tallahassee, FL

Vince Zeringue, MD
Vincent Zeringue & Associates
San Diego, CA

Rosen Plaza Hotel
9700 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
(800) 627-8258
www.rosenplaza.com

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
More than just a first-class meeting facility, this 14-story hotel offers a highly-respected
professional staff and outstanding accommodations. The Rosen Plaza Hotel is an ideal
headquarters hotel that caters to virtually every need. The Rosen Plaza Hotel combines
impressive meeting capabilities with resort-style luxury in a world-class vacation destination.
LOCATION:
The Rosen Plaza Hotel is located on International Drive, adjacent to the Orange County
Convention Center. This premier hotel is at the center of Orlando’s famous theme parks, only 15 minutes from downtown Orlando, across the street from Pointe Orlando shopping, dining and entertainment complex, and only 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
A special block of rooms have been reserved for this meeting. Reservations must be made by August 29, 2008 to guarantee price and availability. Please mention USF Conference on Obesity to receive the following rates:
Single: $129.00 Double: $129.00 Triple: $149.00 Quad: $169.00

Please notify the CPD Office, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC Box 60, Tampa, Florida, 33612 or call (813) 974-4296 a minimum of ten working days in advance of the event if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed.

Events, activities and facilities of the University of South Florida are available without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, or Vietnam veteran status as provided by law and in accordance with the University's respect for personal dignity.