Want the latest science-based weight and health education at your fingertips? Register now for the Obesity Action Coalition’s (OAC) annual Your Weight Matters Virtual Convention! This immersive and interactive educational experience takes place LIVE May 18-19 on the Convention Portal. With a free registration option, you can join a vibrant and diverse community of individuals who are committed to learning, sharing ideas and inspiring change to elevate and empower all those affected by obesity– all from the comfort of your own home! Here’s a sneak peek at some of this year’s can’t ..read more

Meet Ava Zebrick, a powerhouse within the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) whose intelligence, education and determination are the driving forces behind her advocacy work. Behind her calm exterior is a sharp mind and a relentless advocate who is dedicated to changing how society understands and treats obesity. Like many of us, Ava’s experiences with obesity began at an early age, significantly shaping who she grew up to be. Today, Ava not only advocates for others affected by obesity but also incorporates the pursuit of health into her full-time job. Both her career and her advocacy work help ho ..read more

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is thrilled to announce James Zervios’s promotion to Chief Operating Officer! Throughout his nearly two decades with the OAC, James has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication, especially in the areas of OAC’s public awareness initiatives, educational content, and development. From his pioneering role in communications to his pivotal contributions in shaping our initiatives, James has left a lasting mark on the organization. As he steps into his new role, we sat down with James to chat about his journey with the OAC, the significance of our missio ..read more

Meet Alecia Smith, a remarkable new member of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) who is taking the bull by the horns as an advocate for others navigating the challenges of obesity. Alecia’s path to supporting the OAC began with a simple scroll on social media when she saw a post of ours on Facebook and shared her story in the comments. Little did she know, this simple act would lead to additional opportunities to share her story with lawmakers and educate others on the complexity of obesity that warrants affordable, equitable access to care. We sat down with Alecia to learn more about her pers ..read more

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is pleased to share that Altimmune, Inc. has joined the OAC’s Chairman’s Council at the Patron level. Thank you, Altimmune, Inc., for supporting and championing the OAC’s mission. About Altimmune, Inc. Altimmune is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel peptide-based therapeutics for the treatment of obesity and liver diseases. The company’s lead product, pemvidutide, is a GLP-1/glucagon agonist that is being developed for the treatment of obesity and NASH. To learn more, visit Altimmune.com. About the OAC Chairman’s Co ..read more

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is pleased to share that Celebrate Vitamins has joined the OAC’s Chairman’s Council at the Patron level. Thank you, Celebrate Vitamins, for supporting and championing the OAC’s mission. About Celebrate Vitamins Celebrate® Vitamins is a global leader in nutritional supplements developed with the needs of both surgical and medical weight loss patients in mind. Offering more forms and flavors than any other bariatric supplement company, we are committed to providing high-quality products that meet ASMBS guidelines, while keeping products delicious and affordabl ..read more

OAC Advocates in Washington D.C. Obesity Care Week saw a powerful surge of momentum as the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) mobilized over 60 dedicated advocates to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC! On Monday, March 4, 2024, we met with more than 70  Senators and Representatives to share our stories as patients who have been denied access to obesity care. We made the case that since obesity is a disease, everyone affected should be treated with the same dignity and respect afforded to their peers with other diseases. In our meetings, we asked each legislator to co-sponsor the Treat and Reduce ..read more

The anti-obesity medication Wegovy® has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cardiovascular risk reduction in people with overweight or obesity and an established cardiovascular disease. The approval is based on the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial, which demonstrated that Wegovy® statistically significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Obesity care is both life-saving and life-changing. The FDA label change for Semaglutide demonstrates this clearly, with a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiac events for people with existing cardiovas ..read more

By Kristal Hartman, Obesity Action Coalition Board Chair Obesity is a complex and multifaceted health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite its prevalence and impact on individuals’ lives, it remains one of the most stigmatized diseases in our society. Unlike many other health conditions, obesity often faces unfair judgment and discrimination, making it difficult for those affected to receive the care and support they need to improve their quality of life. This week, we recognize Obesity Care Week (March 4-8, including World Obesity Day on March 4), a week dedicated to raisi ..read more

Today, March 4th, not only kicks off Obesity Care Week, but it’s also World Obesity Day! World Obesity Day (WOD) is a global effort aiming to change the narrative of obesity around the world. Rather than blame and shame people for having obesity, this awareness day encourages us to consider all the root causes of obesity: genetic, psychological, socio-cultural, economic and environmental. The theme for World Obesity Day 2024 is “Let’s Talk About Obesity and…” Because when we talk, debate and share, we can change minds, shift norms and transform health outcomes. Let’s Talk About Obesity Did yo ..read more