VCU news

By Frances Dumenci and Cheryle Rodriguez

News Directors: Broadcast access to VCU experts can be arranged through the university’s VideoLink ReadyCam studio. ReadyCam transmits video and audio via fiber optics through a system that is routed to your newsroom. To schedule a live or taped interview, contact the VCU Office of Communications and Public Relations, (804) 828-1231

Experts at Virginia Commonwealth University are available to speak with the media about the American Medical Association’s new policy that labels obesity as a disease.

The United States obesity rate increased almost 50 percent between 1997 and 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 30 percent of American adults are considered obese and childhood obesity has more than doubled in the past 30 years.

The American Medical Association has adopted a new policy that officially labels obesity as a disease “requiring a range of medical interventions to advance obesity treatment and prevention,” according to an AMA statement. The physicians’ group voted to approve the obesity policy on Tuesday during its annual meeting in Chicago.

Several experts at VCU can address the implications of this new policy within their areas of expertise:

John Clore, M.D., professor of Internal Medicine at the VCU School of Medicine and associate vice president for Clinical Research. His medical specialty is endocrinology and metabolism, including the treatment of patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. He can discuss the health implications of obesity, specifically the link between obesity and diabetes.

Daphne Bryan, M.D., assistant professor in the VCU Department of Family Medicine and Population Health and the medical director at Hayes E. Willis Health Center. Her expertise is in adult and pediatric bariatric medicine. She can discuss how the policy may change family medicine care and treatments for obese patients.

Melanie Bean, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics and psychology in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, director of Behavioral and Clinical Services and the Comprehensive Pediatric Obesity and Research Treatment Program, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Her expertise is in psychological services for obesity and diabetes. She can talk about strategies to facilitate health behavior changes and reducing disease among high-risk populations, specifically those who are obese.

Edmond (Trey) Wickham III, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, medical director of the Healthy Lifestyles Center, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. His specialties include obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome. As the director of the family-based, multidisciplinary TEENS (Teaching, Encouragement, Exercise, Nutrition and Support) Healthy Weight Management Research Program, he can discuss comprehensive strategies for obese teens and their families.

David Lanning, M.D., associate professor of surgery and pediatrics, Surgeon-in-Chief at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. He can discuss pediatric bariatric surgery as a possible treatment for obese children.

Suzanne E. Mazzeo, Ph.D., professor of psychology and pediatrics and fellow in the Academy for Eating Disorders. Her research interests include eating disorders and obesity. She can discuss health behavior change, especially changing eating and exercise behaviors; cultural influences on eating and exercising behaviors; and developing culturally competent interventions to promote healthy eating and exercising behaviors.

Janet Starkey, RN, CDE, nutrition clinic director, Department of Food and Nutrition Services at the VCU Medical Center. She is a member of the VCU Surgical Weight Loss Center with an expertise in nutrition. She can talk about the importance of a balanced diet in treating obesity and maintaining a healthier lifestyle.


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