Chicago, Illinois — On Friday, February 26, Illinois State Medical Society Trustee William Kobler, MD will testify at the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Obesity Prevention Initiative public hearing. Overweight patients are more likely to experience serious diseases that are often preventable through weight control. The purpose of this hearing is to identify social and human costs of obesity as well as inform policymakers and the public about effective solutions.

“As a family physician I see the effects of obesity every day in my practice. My obese patients are more at risk for chronic diseases including heart disease, type-2 diabetes, cancer and more than 20 other preventable conditions,” stated Dr. Kobler. During his testimony he will call on legislators “to examine requirements for physical education and health education.”

“I tell patients every day weight loss is not an easy task. Enacting policies to assist my patients with weight loss goals is a similarly difficult challenge, one that requires coordination by many stakeholders. Illinois physicians are ready to take on this challenge for the good of our patients.”

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Illinois Department of Public Health
Obesity Prevention Initiative Public Hearing
Friday, February 26, 2010
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Michael A. Bilandic Building
160 N. LaSalle St., Room C-500 (5th Flr.)