Because physician members of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) have expressed concern about the epidemic of obesity in this country, ISMS has compiled a list of resources that address proper nutrition and obesity prevention.

ISMS advocates a "back to basics approach." Eating healthy and making exercise a part of any daily routine is a sound, time-tested approach to maintaining a healthy weight and decreasing one's risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In the current social atmosphere that seems to provide us with a different "miracle diet" every month, it is especially important to emphasize the physiological process of calorie consumption and calorie usage.

• Sample Obesity Presentation to Middle Schoolers

• Speaking Notes
   
• PowerPoint Presentation

Other resources

• The Let’s Move Campaign provides information and resources for addressing childhood obesity
   
• The Obesity Society provides education resources for clinicians, researchers and educators with an interest in obesity and related disorders. The site provides a slide library, virtual meetings and other CME activities.

Clinical Resources for Addressing Adult Obesity

•  Download and print this Body Mass Index (BMI) Table for Adults

• The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute provides Clinical Guidelines and the Practical Guide on the Identification, Evaluation and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults.

• The AMA’s Assessment and Management of Adult Obesity: A Primer for Physicians. This primer consists of 10 booklets that offer practical recommendations for addressing adult obesity in the primary care setting.

Clinical Resources for Addressing Child and Teen Obesity

• The CDC provides an online BMI Calculator for children and teens
   
• Or, download and print this BMI Table for ages 2 to 20 years
   
• This chart shows the estimated calorie requirements by gender, age and level of activity