Weight Management DPG

Weight Management DPG

Find out more about the Weight Management (WM) Dietetic Practice Group.

Dietetic Practice Group #26
Visit WM's Web site at www.wmdpg.org

DPG Mission: Empower members to be the nation's weight management and lifestyle change leaders

DPG Vision: Optimize the nation's health through weight and lifestyle management

WM DPG Officers:

  • Chair:  Michele M. Doucette, PhD
  • Chair-elect:  Anne Matthews, PhD, RD 
  • Secretary:  Eileen Myers, MPH, RD, LDN, FADA 
  • Treasurer:  Chris Weithman, MBA, RD, LDN
  • Member Recruitment and Retention Chair:  Linda Gigliotti, MS, RD, CDE
  • Nominating Committee Director:  Anne Daly, MS, RD, BC-ADM, CDE 
  • Communications Director:  Diane Heller, MMSc, RD
  • Newsletter Editor:  Julie Schwartz, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
  • Public Policy Director:  Suzanne Brodney-Folse, PhD, RD
  • External Relations Director:  Pat Harper, MS, RD, LDN

DPG Importance:
Nearly sixty-seven percent of Americans are overweight or obese. Obesity is a chronic disease, which can impact other disease states such as diabetes, coronary artery disease and cancer. Members of many areas of practice are impacted by this epidemic. For example, the area of community health is significantly impacted by obesity where it is defined as a major public health problem. This group focuses exclusively on the science and application of weight management prevention and treatment. This group links the public, organizations, and industry to dietetic professionals with an expertise in weight management.

Membership Total:
4,601 (May 2009)

Weight Management DPG Benefits:

  • Cutting edge, quarterly Weight Management Matters newsletter offering four CPE articles per year
  • Updated, informative, and resource-packed web site (www.wmdpg.org/)
  • Bi-weekly WM e-Updates emails highlighting current events and weight management-related news
  • Bariatric Surgery and Pediatric Weight Management Subunits
  • Continuing professional education (CPE) opportunities, including 10 teleconferences/webinars planned for 2009-2010
  • Educational exchanges among members via the updated WM Listserv
  • Awards to members that honor excellence and achievement in the field of weight management including weight management practice and weight management outcomes research
  • Travel stipends for members to attend professional development meetings including FNCE, PPW, The Obesity Society, and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
  • Public policy and legislative update, resources, and tools 
  • Weight management research updates, tools, and resources 
  • FNCE activities, including member networking events and sponsored educational programs
  • Opportunities for leadership and professional growth

If you are interested in volunteering for the Weight Management DPG or need additional information, please contact Linda Gigliotti at lmgiglio@uci.edu.