FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 1, 2004
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elizabeth Morgan, 312/853-6528
Kelley Elwood, 312/580-6497
Illinois State Medical Society Physicians Launch Online Resource
Dedicated to Obesity Prevention
Chicago – Now that the holidays have come to a close, it’s again time to commit to a healthy life style. With this in mind, the physicians at the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) have made a New Year’s resolution to help Illinois patients reach this goal by providing a one-stop educational resource for both patients and physicians.
Throughout the country, the prevalence of obesity has risen at an alarming rate, and Illinois is no exception. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 20 percent of Illinois adults were obese in 2001. That’s close to a 10 percent increase since 1991. Even more distressing, a recent study conducted by the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children discovered that 23 percent of public school students age three to seven, are obese – more than double the nationa l average.
“ISMS believes education is the best defense against chronic obesity,” stated ISMS President William E. Kobler, M.D. “With so many resources available, finding the most relevant information can sometimes be a daunting task. With this in mind, ISMS has developed a way to help patients and physicians more easily access obesity-related information.”
ISMS has launched a web-based program loaded with easy-to-access resources to help fight obesity. The Web site addresses such issues as children and obesity, guidelines on portion size, proper nutrition, physical activity and helpful tips for leading a healthy lifestyle. The resources compiled on this page provide vital information to assist physicians in promoting positive eating habits and a commitment to good health.
“Throughout the past year, countless studies have revealed that obesity is rapidly increasing in U.S. communities,” stated Dr. Kobler. “This trend leads to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis and a host of other weight-related health problems. Educating patients is the first step in prevention and management.”
For more information about ISMS’ Obesity Campaign or to arrange for a presentation by an ISMS physician, please visit www.isms.org/professional/obesity.html. For information pertaining to your individual health needs, consult your physician.
ISMS is a professional membership association representing over 14,000 physicians practicing in all specialties statewide.