Washington, D.C. - The Endocrine Society held its 91^st annual meeting, ENDO 09 on Wednesday, June 11 at the Walter E. George Washington Convention Center to inform the community about the latest advances in endocrine research and clinical care.  The news conference held June 10-13 houses numerous clinical professors and scientists who gather to share their findings and what impacts weight loss surgery had on subjects tested.  Obesity, one of the most dramatic diseases in the United States, was highlighted in depth through a panel of discussions.      

The Weight Loss Surgery news conference showcased innovative research associated with obesity and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB); and featured distinguished panelist Dr. Illene Fennoy, Pediatric Endocrinologist/Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics Columbia University Medical Center.  With obesity affecting a third of the American population, Latino males and females face the highest risk. 

Dr. Illene Fennoy conducted a study on obesity in adolescents and gastric banding.  The idea of the surgery is to limit food intake by placing a small pouch in the upper stomach with a controlled and modifiable stoma.  “50% of the subjects had conditions of metabolic syndrome with emphasis to obesity and over a period of time these numbers decreased with the study of this weight loss program”, said Dr. Fennoy.  With ever-increasing results, the program has been proven to highly decrease weight loss among obese patients with evaluations of significant weight drops over a period of one year with no solid objective measurement on exercise.

“As of now, the testing is in its early stages, with reference to research and results, but risk factors in morbidly obese adolescents will continue to decline”, she said.

About the Endocrine Society

Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology.  Today, the Endocrine’s Society’s membership consists of more than 14,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 100 countries.  Society members represent all basic, applied and clinical interests in endocrinology.  The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland.  To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our Web site at www.endo-society.org.