The Obesity Action Coalition’s 2026 Your Weight Matters National Convention brought upwards of 500 people together in Orlando for three unforgettable days of education, connection and community.

Held July 23-25 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, YWM2026 welcomed people affected by obesity, caregivers, healthcare professionals, advocates and leading experts from across the country. Some attendees arrived ready to reconnect with longtime friends. Others walked through the doors for the first time, unsure of what to expect but hopeful they would find people who understood.

What they found was a community ready to welcome them.

“This isn’t just a conference about obesity. It’s a conference centered on people living with obesity. Every session, every conversation and every connection is with the lived experience in mind,” shared Michelle Cardel, PhD, MS, RD, FTOS.

Throughout the weekend, attendees shared their experiences, learned from one another and discovered that they did not have to navigate their journeys alone. Every conversation, personal story and moment of encouragement reflected what makes the National Convention so special: people coming together to learn, grow and create a better future for everyone affected by obesity.

Learning From Science and Lived Experience

Education remained at the heart of YWM2026. Leading experts in obesity medicine, nutrition, mental health and advocacy shared trusted, science-based information designed to help attendees better understand obesity and their options for care. Sessions explored obesity treatments, food noise, mental health, body image, weight bias, nutrition, sleep, advocacy and whole-person health.

Attendees were encouraged to ask questions, challenge misconceptions and take part in honest conversations about the realities of living with obesity.

The weekend also made space for something equally important: lived experience.

Community members shared stories of setbacks, breakthroughs, difficult decisions and renewed hope. Their courage reminded everyone in the room that personal stories can educate, connect and inspire change. When people speak openly about their experiences, others feel less alone and the broader understanding of obesity grows stronger.

“Lived experience isn’t just a story to tell. It’s a form of expertise that belongs alongside research and clinical experience,” shared Michael Donnelly-Boylen.

YWM2026 was not about offering one path forward. It was about giving each person trusted information, meaningful support and the confidence to decide what comes next in their own health journey.

 

Opening the Door for More People

This year, OAC awarded a record 50 scholarships, helping more individuals overcome financial barriers and experience the convention.

For many scholarship recipients, attending YWM2026 meant accessing expert education they may not have otherwise received. It also meant meeting people who understood their challenges without judgment or explanation.

Each scholarship represented more than admission to an event. It represented an opportunity to feel seen, supported and empowered. The generosity of the OAC Community and its supporters helped make those opportunities possible, expanding access to a weekend that can have an impact long after attendees return home.

Thrive Together Families Find Community

Twenty families participated in Thrive Together, OAC’s dedicated program for youth affected by obesity and their caregivers.

Throughout the convention, young people and their families took part in age-appropriate education, supportive conversations and activities designed to build confidence and strengthen family connections. They also had the opportunity to meet other families facing similar experiences.

For youth who may feel isolated or misunderstood, meeting peers who truly understand can be life-changing. For caregivers, connecting with other families can provide reassurance, new perspectives and a reminder that support is available. 

The friendships formed through Thrive Together showed the power of creating spaces where young people can be themselves, feel accepted and know they belong.

 

Bringing Health Education to Orlando

The convention’s impact extended beyond registered attendees through the free Health Hub. Members of the Orlando community received health screenings, heard from medical experts and connected with science-based resources in a welcoming, stigma-free environment. Screenings and presentations covered blood pressure, blood sugar, liver health, sleep apnea risk, mental health, nutrition, obesity medications, bariatric surgery and Medicare coverage.

The Health Hub gave local residents an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about their health without cost being a barrier. It also reinforced an important message: Everyone deserves access to respectful care, trusted information and the tools needed to make informed health decisions.

 

Carrying the Connection Forward

The true impact of YWM2026 cannot be measured only by attendance numbers, sessions or days on a calendar. It can be seen in the person who asked a question they had been afraid to ask. It can be felt in the friendships formed over shared experiences. It lives in the attendee who returned home ready to speak up, seek care, support someone else or share their own story.

“This felt like so much more than a conference. It was a place where people came together to support, encourage and learn from one another,” shared Bailey Gordon.

Upwards of 500 people came to Orlando, but they left as part of something much larger. They left with knowledge. They left with new connections. They left knowing their experiences matter and their voices have the power to create change.

As we look ahead, OAC will carry the energy, courage and hope of this remarkable weekend forward. The Your Weight Matters National Convention will return July 22-24, 2027, in New Orleans, where our community will once again come together to learn, connect and inspire one another.

Until then, we will keep sharing our stories, supporting one another and working toward a world where every person affected by obesity is treated with understanding, dignity and compassion.

The Your Weight Matters National Convention is proudly supported by reputable companies in the health industry. National Sponsors supporting OAC’s 2026 Convention events include: Platinum Level — Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk; Gold Level — Boehringer Ingelheim; Silver Level— Amgen, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals and Rhythm Pharmaceuticals; Bronze Level — Genentech, Kailera Therapeutics, Pfizer, Regeneron, Structure Therapeutics, Wave Life Sciences and Zealand Pharma; Patron Level — Bariatric Advantage, Boston Scientific, Currax Pharmaceuticals, Fractyl Health, Viking Therapeutics and Wondr Health.