ASGE position statement on endoscopic bariatric therapies in clinical practice.

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), as well as a number of federal agencies and medical societies, recognizes obesity as a disease requiring primary therapy. In 2011, the ASGE and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) jointly published a white paper with the intent of providing a pathway for bringing endoscopic bariatric therapy (EBT) to clinical practice and Preservation and Incorporation of Valuable Endoscopic Innovations thresholds for safety and efficacy. As multiple EBTs are on the verge of being approved for clinical use, this position statement addresses the ASGE position on the role of the endoscopist in the primary treatment and bridge treatment of obesity with EBT. The prevalence of obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m) in adults in the United States remains high at 35%. Although the total number of U.S. adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m has remained stable since 2003, the prevalence of adults with a BMI >40 kg/m increased 70% between 2000 and 2010. This is of particular concern due to the positive correlation between increasing BMI above >30 kg/m with rates of obesityrelated comorbidities and mortality. The estimated cost associated with treating obesity and directly attributable