Obesity medicine is a growing field in the U.S. and Canada, according to an American Board of Obesity Medicine report.
Here are five things to know about the five-year study:
1. Several healthcare organizations, including the American Medical Association, have recognized obesity a as chronic disease in the last five years.
2. There are 2,068 American Board of Obesity Medicine diplomates in the U.S. and Canada.
3. Of these diplomates, 53 percent are women and 64 percent have spent less than five years in the specialty.
4. Thirty-eight percent of diplomates spend less than 25 percent of their time on obesity care.
5. Of diplomates, 57.4 percent care for patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.