The guidelines for patients’ eligibility for bariatric surgery have not changed since 1991, although recent data suggest there may be indications for broadening application of the surgery.

This case poses two important questions. First, do schools have the right or the duty to monitor students’ health status measures and require action from parents and, second, what is the role of a student’s primary care physician in this context?

Counseling patients about medical finances is a preventive medicine duty, much as weight-loss counseling is.

Explanation of why penalizing health insurance subscribers who do not achieve wellness goals is unethical.

To combat the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes, New York City requires laboratories with electronic reporting capacity to upload data on hemoglobin A1c measurements to a city department of health registry.

A review of three journal articles shows the significant impact that poverty has on physical and mental health status, as well as all causes of mortality.

Medical students and residents should be taught clear principles to help them educate families about their children's nutritional requirements from the age of birth in order to prevent childhood obesity.

Pediatricians should be aware of the cultural issues surrounding body image when they counsel certain patients and their parents about the importance of weight loss and the related health concerns.

Physicians should practice bias-reduction strategies in their treatment plans for and attitudes toward overweight and obese patients.

A physician points to AMA policy to argue that necessary medical, public health, and financial support can be developed for the treatment of obesity even if it is not formally classified as a disease.