About AABC

The American Association of Bariatric Counselors (AABC) is a professional collegial association that has developed an important and essential health care specialty for the 21st Century. The goal of AABC is to provide specialized bariatric education and credentialing standards for already licensed/certified health and education professionals from diverse disciplines. In addition an accredited core curriculum in the bariatric sciences is available for Master’s-level and Doctoral-level students pursuing professional health and education careers.

 

The American Association of Bariatric Counselors offers two types of certificates:

  1. Board Certified Bariatric Counselor (CBC) certificate: This certificate is for licensed/certified health care professionals such as medical doctors, psychiatrists, nutritionists and others in the practice of counseling patients in the diagnosis and treatment of obesities.
  2. Board Certified Bariatric Educator (CBE) certificate: This certificate is for education professionals whose purpose is to teach bariatric courses in a school system.

 

Bariatric Science is an evidence-based science that focuses on the research, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of obesities and its related biopsychosocial disorders. The goal of the Bariatric Science Certificate Program is to provide specialized bariatric science education and training for already licensed/certified health and education professionals from diverse disciplines. The 12-credit series of courses is specifically designed for Master’s and Doctoral level students who wish to continue their professional development in the area of bariatric science. Mental health practitioners, medical doctors, allied medical professionals, public health educators, nutritionists, teachers and other professionals who wish to enhance their education, advance their disciplines and share a genuine concern for those suffering from the full spectrum of obesities and concomitant disorders may also participate in the program.

Goals and Objectives

At the completion of the Bariatric Science Certificate Program, students will have obtained advanced knowledge and skills in the area of bariatric science. Students will be able to:

 

  • Understanding the multifactorial etiologies of obesities
  • Utilizing the biopsychosocial model of obesities for prevention and treatment of obesities and its concomitant disorders. How gender, culture and SES affect obesities and eating disorders
  • Measuring and identifying disparities in human metabolism, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
  • Overcoming barriers to successful treatment: financial, societal, cultural, familial, and provider
  • Understanding the role of hunger and satiety in weight management
  • Understanding pharmacology related to obesities: prevention/causation
  • Exploring surgical interventions for obesities management; candidate selection
  • Surveying research and the future treatments of obesities
  • Understanding the role of physical activity, exercise and nutrition in the treatment of obesities
  • Understanding of the metabolic syndrome
  • Developing an awareness of the risk factors related to child/adolescent obesities
  • Gaining insight into the psychological implications of obesities
  • Emerging developments in endocrinology and potential new treatment modalities
  • Developing intercultural communication, education and counseling skills
  • Understanding intercultural nutrition habits and their impact on obesities
  • Obtaining specific knowledge of cultural values, health beliefs and nutrition related health problems of various racial and ethnic groups
  • Utilizing and generously sharing with individuals, families and communities the health wisdom acquired in this certificate program