Saturday September 21 & Sunday 22, 2013
Merging Medicine XV 
Pasadena, CA at the Hilton Pasadena
Obesity, Dysmetabolic Syndrome and Weight Management: Naturopathic Solutions to Optimize Clinical Management

Conference Overview
The World Health Organization has declared obesity a global epidemic and obesity-related conditions affect nearly a third of all Americans. Evidence continues to accumulate demonstrating that dietary and lifestyle management solutions are among the most effective strategies for preventing and treating obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. As more individuals seek out naturopathic care, clinicians will need to be prepared to offer individualized evidence based treatment plans that are both effective and sustainable.  Merging Medicine XV is an opportunity to study under some of the most respected doctors and researchers in the field of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

> Recognize and apply the clinical criteria for being overweight or obese as well as the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
> Understand the health benefits of weight loss.
> Discuss the role of pharmacotherapy in the management of dysglycemia and metabolic syndrome.
> Manage obesity as a primary “risk factor” in the setting of common cardiometabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
> Identify dietary and lifestyle interventions to avoid the onset of metabolic syndrome, diabetes and obesity in adults.
> Become proficient at creating individualized weight loss interventions that are both effective and sustainable using evidence based principles of naturopathic medicine and Ayurvedic medicine.
> Understand the role of hormones in metabolic syndrome and obesity and how to prescribe bio-identical hormones based on evidence for their use.
> Become comfortable with counseling strategies for behavioral change and staying involved in long-term management.
> Become comfortable writing exercise prescriptions.
> Become confident in resolving complicated cases of patients with obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

10.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ^TM
Dr. Mona Morstein, ND
Dr. Jack Youngren, PhD
Dr. Kristy Anderson, ND
Dr. Ryan Bradley, ND
Dr. Dennis Godby, ND
Dr. Erin Lommen, ND
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag, ND