A record number of physicians applied to take the 2016 American Board of Obesity Medicine certification exam, recognizing doctors for their competency in treating obesity and overweight. In total, 591 physicians applied to sit for the test that will be given December 3-10 at computer-based testing centers throughout the United States and Canada. The total number of first-time applicants (537) represents an increase of more than 11 percent from 2015. Over the past two years, more than 1,000 doctors have applied for ABOM certification.

“We continue to be encouraged by the interest from doctors who are hoping to become certified in obesity medicine,” said ABOM Board Chairman Dr. Louis J. Aronne. “This means that more patients affected by obesity will have access to the kind of quality care they deserve.”

The 2016 candidates represent more than a dozen fields of medicine including internal medicine (34%), family medicine (31%), endocrinology (6%), pediatrics (5%), surgery (5%), and OB/GYN (4%). The candidates come from 49 states and also include 17 physicians from Canada.

“It’s exciting to see that doctors from diverse backgrounds are seeking obesity medicine certification because obesity is a disease that cuts across so many different medical specialties,” said ABOM Executive Director Dana Brittan.

The ABOM began overseeing the certification process for obesity medicine physicians in 2011. Today, there are nearly 1,600 certified obesity medicine physicians throughout the United States and Canada.