Study to look at new treatments for severe obesity

An article distributed by the Associated Press reports that BlueCross BlueShield has commissioned UB to conduct a five-year study of alternatives to gastric bypass surgery for the obese. The article quotes Michael Noe, clinical professor of social and preventive medicine, who said, "Many (patients) have been involved in repeated struggles to lose weight, perhaps jumping from one fad diet or new promising remedy. The real problem for many of them is not necessarily a lack of motivation but rather responding to misguided messages or bad advice." The article appeared in more than 110 outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsday and the Albany Times Union.