Posts Tagged ‘advocacy’

Where Will Advocacy for People with Obesity Lead in 20 Years

January 11, 2026 — Twenty years ago, advocacy for people living with obesity was at ground zero. But now, we are entering a third decade of advocacy for the Obesity Action Coalition. We are in a profoundly different position. So we took the day yesterday to consider with leadership in the OAC community where the next two decades of […]

Will Health Policy or Market Dynamics Reduce Obesity More?

December 3, 2025 — As the world is coming around to the understanding that public health policy cannot neglect the need for obesity treatment, a question hangs in the air. What does this mean for obesity prevention strategies? This question – together with fast-changing market realities – begs another question. Will prevention policy or market dynamics reduce obesity more? […]

Breakthrough Women in Obesity Medicine: Fatima Cody Stanford

November 9, 2025 —   Today is a day to stop and think about more than a decade of working with an exceptional leader in obesity medicine: Fatima Cody Stanford. A new PBS feature brings us to reflect upon this. In a quarter century of working in obesity, we have had the privilege of knowing and working with many […]

Food as Medicine Is a Tricky Business That Doesn’t Always Work

October 26, 2025 — Slogans are great. They serve as a tool for selling products, ideas, and, yes, even policies, because they stick with people and can attract support. But they don’t always hold up well under scrutiny and over time. As slogans go, Food as Medicine is having a good run. But it is wearing a little thin […]

The Emergence of a Central Role for Persons with Obesity

October 25, 2025 — In two decades of advocacy for persons living with obesity, we have found great satisfaction in seeing a central role emerge for the lived experience of these people. But it is especially inspiring to see it spread across many different countries with many different health systems. We saw this up close yesterday as a keynote […]

Fragmented Global Thinking on Chronic Diseases and Obesity

September 26, 2025 — Can we think global and act local on chronic diseases and obesity? At the United Nations General Assembly meeting this week, quite a few people gave it a try – with mixed results. At the end of the day yesterday, no one was terribly surprised when U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threw a […]

Obesity Advocacy: Your Voice Matters Whenever You Speak Up

July 27, 2025 — At the dawn of the second day of YWM2025 yesterday, a panel of people sharing diverse advocacy experiences began the day. Tracy Zvenyach, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) Director of Policy, chaired the session. Abrianna Wolfgram, Laura Gomez, Liz Paul, and Sarah Bramblette made the panel complete. Each of them had a unique story to […]

Marking 20 Years Fighting the Misunderstanding of Obesity

July 25, 2025 — It isn’t easy. But it is getting better. The OAC Your Weight Matters (YWM) Convention is getting underway in earnest this morning with a full program of education, support, and advocacy for all of the people affected by obesity. This occasion celebrates 20 years of the OAC’s work. Yesterday, early arrivers set out on Capitol […]

Register for Insight and Community at the OAC Convention

April 3, 2025 — This is not to be missed. ​The Your Weight Matters National Convention, hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), stands as a beacon for individuals seeking community and insight from the best science-based information on weight and health. Scheduled for July 24-26, 2025, in Washington, DC, this year’s convention is particularly momentous, marking OAC’s 20th […]

What Has Changed in 20 Years of Obesity Patient Advocacy?

February 9, 2025 — April this year will mark 20 years of patient advocacy in obesity by the Obesity Action Coalition. We’ve spent this weekend with the OAC board, looking back and looking forward at advocacy to educate, elevate, and support the voices of people living with obesity. So this is a good time to ask what has changed […]