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20 Years of Empowering Change Together
In 2025, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) commemorates two decades of providing education, advocacy and support for individuals affected by obesity. Join us as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary, reflect on our journey and look ahead to the future!
Help Us Grow Our Community by 20,000 Members!
The OAC Community is more than 85,000 Members strong, but we’re just getting started! If you’re not yet part of our Community, join today and help us reach 20,000 new Members. Already a Member? Upgrade to Community+ for just $20 in honor of our 20th Anniversary and unlock exclusive benefits!
Donate $20 for
20 Years
For two decades, the OAC has been fighting weight stigma, advocating for better care and providing life-changing resources. A $20 donation today in honor of our Anniversary fuels our mission for the next 20 years and beyond. Every donation powers vital programs, resources and advocacy efforts!
Building a Better World Since 2005
Since 2005, the OAC has been the nation’s leading voice representing individuals affected by obesity, addressing a critical gap in patient advocacy. Today, our Community of more than 85,000 members—including patients, families, healthcare providers, advocates and supporters—works together to advance education, raise awareness, provide support and advocate for those impacted by obesity.
Over the past 20 years, the OAC has:
- Changed the way people think about obesity by challenging weight bias and helping society understand obesity as a complex, chronic disease.
- Demanded higher-quality care that emphasizes dignity, respect and compassion, while fighting to improve access to safe and effective treatments.
- Empowered hundreds of thousands of individuals with education, support and resources to navigate their weight and health journey.
We’ve made incredible strides, but the work is far from over! The OAC Community continues to challenge the status quo and build a better world for people with obesity every day.
A Glance at Some of Our Most Memorable Milestones:
The OAC was founded after a meeting of legislators identified a need for a group to represent patients affected by obesity.
OAC releases its first educational resource, our Understanding Obesity brochure
OAC visits Congress for the first time to advocate for obesity care.
OAC visits the White House to advocate for improved access to obesity care and treatments.
OAC launches the Your Weight Matters Campaign and first-ever PSA to empower individuals to talk about weight with a healthcare provider.
OAC launches a ‘Bias Busters’ campaign to combat weight bias and stigma.
OAC hosts its inaugural Your Weight Matters National Convention in Dallas, TX, bringing together individuals wanting information, resources and support for their weight and health journey.
OAC launches the Your Weight Matters National Convention Scholarship Program to support attendance for individuals in need.
OAC becomes a founding member of the Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN), strengthening collaborative efforts to improve obesity care.
OAC debuted its first bias-free image gallery to help combat weight stigma in the media and provide public access to respectful, humanizing images representing people with obesity.
OAC provides eight bariatric surgeries to patients in need during Obesity Care Week.
OAC launches ObesityCareProviders.com to help individuals find healthcare providers trained in obesity care.
OAC launches the OAC Action Center, an online resource for individuals to get involved in advocacy efforts at the local, state and national levels.
OAC launched the Stop Weight Bias Campaign to raise awareness, put a stop to weight bias and push equality forward.
OAC launches an online Resource Library with hundreds of articles, guides and videos for individuals affected by obesity.
OAC consults filmmakers and Brendan Fraser on his Oscar-winning portrayal of a person affected by severe obesity in “The Whale.”
OAC hosts 13 families at its National Convention as part of its “Empower Early” initiative.
OAC launches Your Weight Matters Regional, half-day events held in cities across the country to deliver high-quality weight and health education to communities.
The OAC celebrates our 20th Anniversary and honors two decades of education, awareness, advocacy and support!
Celebrate With Us!
Key Dates in 2025:
Coming Soon: More Ways to Celebrate!
We’re just getting started! Throughout our 20th Anniversary year, we’ll be rolling out exciting ways for you to get involved, from special events and community initiatives to advocacy opportunities and exclusive content.
Here’s what’s coming up:
- 20th Anniversary Creative Contest: “Imagine a World Without Stigma” – Express your creativity and vision for a world free from weight stigma. More details on how to participate will be announced soon!
- OAC Step Challenge (Spring 2025) – Get moving with us! Lace up your sneakers and take part in a fun, engaging challenge that brings our community together for health and awareness.
- Your Weight Matters National Convention Activities – Join us for an Anniversary Gala, OAC Community Member Mixer, Silent Auction, Awards and much more! Registration Now Open- Learn more!
- Thrive Together Youth & Families Program – In 2025, OAC is launching Thrive Together, a powerful initiative to support youth and families affected by obesity. As part of our 20th Anniversary, we’re inviting 20 families to join us at the Your Weight Matters National Convention.
- Special Anniversary features in Weight Matters Magazine
- Limited edition OAC Anniversary merchandise
Celebrating 20 Years
of Impact
Since 2005, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) has been the nation’s leading voice for individuals affected by obesity. As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we’re continually inspired by the OAC Community—the heart and soul of our work—that has fueled our progress in education, awareness, advocacy and support.
Join the OAC Community today for free or upgrade to Community+ for just $20 to unlock exclusive benefits. Be part of the movement shaping our next chapter!
Looking Ahead: The Future of OAC
The last two decades have reshaped the conversation around obesity—but there’s more work to do. The OAC is fighting for a future where all individuals affected by obesity have access to the care, support and respect they deserve.
As we look ahead at the next 20 years, we remain steadfast in our commitment to:
- Expanding Education – The OAC will continue to deliver science-based education and resources that empower individuals to make informed choices about their health. From engaging webinars and toolkits to comprehensive articles and expert insights, we are dedicated to making quality weight and health education accessible to everyone.
- Raising Awareness – Changing public perceptions of obesity is critical. Through bold campaigns, media outreach and community engagement, we’re working to challenge stigma, confront misinformation and help shape a society that understands obesity as a complex health condition—not a personal failure.
- Strengthening Advocacy – The OAC will continue to push for meaningful policy changes that improve access to obesity care, reduce weight discrimination and ensure obesity care is prioritized. From state-level initiatives to national legislative efforts, we won’t stop advocating for people affected by obesity.
- Enhancing Support – Navigating weight and health can be challenging and overwhelming, but no one should face it alone. The OAC is dedicated to expanding our Membership Community and creating a space where individuals can connect, share experiences and receive the real support they need—for themselves and their families.
Be Part of Our Next Chapter!
A lot has changed since 2005, but the best is yet to come! With your support, the next 20 years can bring even greater milestones to celebrate. Your donation directly funds the education, resources and advocacy efforts that continue to make a difference in people’s lives.