Bariatric Times - August 2008 - (Page 3) Bariatric Times • August 2008 Editorial Message 3 Welcome to our 4th annual Bariatric Times Buyers Guide! Dear Readers, About two years ago, I shared with you my impression of the obesity disease following my visit to the Asia Pacific region. I was blown away when I heard that China had over two million bariatric surgical candidates and that the rate of childhood obesity was as high as it currently is in the United States. India has similar numbers and problems. Raul J. Rosenthal, MD, FACS, Clinical Editor, Bariatric Times, Program Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Director of the Minimally Invasive Fellowship Program, and Director of the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Cleveland Clinic Florida—Weston, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. MATRIX MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS STAFF President/Group Publisher Robert L. Dougherty Partner Patrick D. Scullin Vice President, Business Development Joseph J. Morris Vice President, Executive Editor Elizabeth A. Klumpp Managing Editor Colleen M. Hutchinson Associate Editor Kimberly B. Chesky National Sales Manager Bradley A. Lacey EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE should be directed to Colleen Hutchinson, Bariatric Times, Matrix Medical Communications, 4975 West Chester Pike, PO Box 445, Edgemont, PA 19028-0445. Telephone: (866) 3259907 or (610) 325-9905, Fax: (610) 325-9906. E-mail: chutchinson@matrixmedcom.com ADVERTISING QUERIES should be addressed to Robert Dougherty. President/Group Publisher, Bariatric Times, Matrix Medical Communications, 4975 West Chester Pike, PO Box 445, Edgemont, PA 19028-0445. Telephone: (866) 325-9907 or (610) 325-9905. Fax: (610) 325-9906. E-mail: rdougherty@ matrixmedcom.com Obesity in Chinese children is a cultural problem since an obese child is still considered to be a sign of wealth in their culture. Adult obesity, however, is a reflection of developed countries. Economic growth results in drastic changes in lifestyle, and we see that fast food and sedentary lifestyles, the main etiologic factors, are flourishing. Even more alarming are the high numbers of type 2 diabetes patients with low BMI. In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Obesity in China Becoming More Common,” we learn that over 25 percent of the adult population are considered obese and that this number might duplicate in 20 years. The report was based on a statistical analysis of data collected from 20,000 patients over a time period of 15 years. The disease of obesity increased over that time period at a rate of 1.2 percent. As one of the founding members of the Asia Pacific Society for Obesity Surgery, I was invited this year to their annual meeting in Shanghai; it consisted of a stunning 200 bariatric surgeons and allied health professionals presenting problems that are deja vu to those of us who have been entrenched in battling this disease in the United States for the past 20 years. I foresee numbers of bariatric and metabolic surgeries exploding in the Asia Pacific region, especially in countries like India, Australia, and China, and we will see obesity and type 2 diabetes spread at a much faster pace even than predicted. In this issue of Bariatric Times, we present you with our increasingly popular annual Buyers Guide and four articles that are of relevance to all of us. I would like to highlight Dr. Zundel’s contribution on metabolic surgery. Our team members will all benefit from this detailed overview of the type of procedures that are available to treat metabolic syndrome and how we believe they function when it comes to diabetes control. Finally, let me give you some advice: Watch out for that Chinese food! Enjoy! Matrix Medical Communications 4975 West Chester Pike PO Box 445 Edgemont, PA 19028-0445 © 2008 Matrix Medical Communications. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed by authors, contributors, and advertisers are their own and not necessarily those of Matrix Medical Communications, the editorial staff, or any member of the editorial advisory board. Matrix Medical Communications is not responsible for accuracy of dosages given in the articles printed herein. The appearance of advertisements in this journal is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality, or safety. Matrix Medical Communications disclaims responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas or products referred to in the articles or advertisements. Reprints are available. Contact Matrix Medical Communications for information. Bariatric Times (ISSN 15513572) is published by Matrix Medical Communications, 4975 West Chester Pike, PO Box 445, Edgemont, PA 190280445, Telephone 610-325-9905. Printed in the USA. Raul J. Rosenthal, MD, FACS Clinical Editor, Bariatric Times http://www.matrixmedcom.com
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