MT. VERNON, IL — Sikarin Upala, MD, MS has been certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) as an ABOM diplomate. Dr. Upala is one of 292 ABOM diplomates in the state of Illinois. ABOM diplomates undergo rigorous training in obesity medicine and an extensive examination process to achieve this designation.

“Obesity is a complex disease that increases the risk of many serious diseases and health conditions including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and even death,” says Dr. Upala, an endocrinologist with Crossroads Community Hospital. “Overweight and obese patients should work with their physicians to screen and lower their risks. It is important to discuss options to help get patients into a healthy weight range, which include lifestyle interventions, pharmacological therapy, and bariatric surgery. The reason I became board-certified in Obesity Medicine was to be able to help my patients reach their goals.”

The American Board of Obesity Medicine serves the public and the field of obesity medicine by maintaining standards for the assessment and credentialing physicians. Certification as an ABOM diplomate signifies specialized knowledge in the practice of obesity medicine and distinguishes a physician as having achieved competency in obesity care.

Currently, there are more than 5,200 ABOM diplomates throughout the United States and Canada.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 42 percent of U.S. adults cope with obesity, which is associated with a higher risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and other musculoskeletal and vascular problems. Obesity has been officially recognized as a disease by the American Medical Association since 2013.

Dr. Upala, MD, MS, has an endocrinology medical practice at the Crossroads Specialty Clinic in Mount Vernon, IL. He is board-certified in Endocrinology and currently offers treatments for diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal gland disorders, osteoporosis, hormone replacement, metabolic disorders, lipid and cholesterol disorders, and medical weight loss.