Gastroenterologic Issues in the Obese Patient, An Issue of Gastroenterology Clinics

Given the prevalence of obesity, any physician providing clinical care will be involved in the care of obese patients. Gastroenterologists will play an active role in the evaluation and treatment of these patients. Thereby, it is essential to fully understand the scope of the problem and the opportunities for intervention. The expert authors assembled for this issue offer expanded insight which can enhance care plans provided to this patient population. Since Dr. Johnson's first issue published, there are several updates in this area, and the articles in this volume address those. These updates are seen in the areas of medical therapy, surgical options, and endoscopic treatments for obese patients.

About the Author

Dr. Johnson MD, MACG, FASGE, MACP is Professor of Medicine and Chief of Gastroenterology at Eastern VA School of Medicine. He co-founded the National Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee. He served on the GI Multi-Society CRC Screening Task Force and ACG guidelines committee for CRC screening, and co-authored the national guidelines. He served on the American Board of Internal Medicine (Gastroenterology), Board of Examiners (2012-2017), and was reappointed to the Maintenance of Certification ABIM Board 2020-present. He has been honored with the highest award from the American College of Gastroenterology; the Berk/Fise Award for lifetime achievements, as well as the William D Carey ACG Governors award to lifetime contributions to gastroenterology. He is the physician who worked with Virginia State Senator Emily Couric to put through the historic legislation to mandate colon cancer screening with colonoscopy as the preferred standard. This initiative has set the model for other states which have followed with similar legislation.