OAC Blog

Every day, families across the country face the challenges of obesity and the stigma that too often comes with it. But because of supporters like you, they don’t have to face it alone. The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is working toward a future where every person has access to compassionate care, evidence-based treatment and a
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We’ve all experienced moments when we needed support — and moments when someone else needed ours. That’s the power of community, and OAC Member Lisa Hernandez embodies it in everything she does. Known for her kindness, resilience and the warmth she brings to every interaction, Lisa has become a steady source of encouragement for others
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As a young teen, John faced serious health challenges caused by excess weight, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), prediabetes and severe sleep apnea. Even simple activities caused pain and exhaustion, and relentless bullying at school pushed him into isolation, leaving him three grades behind. Determined to help her son, John’s mom, Karen, tried diets,
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For most of her life, Liz Paul carried the heavy burden of blame. “Everyone told me I had a problem,” Liz recalls. “Doctors, family, society — they all said, ‘Why don’t you just fix it?’ I spent decades gaining and losing hundreds of pounds, always believing it was my fault.” For 37 years, no one
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This December, Your Weight Matters Regional is coming to Memphis, and the city is officially joining in the celebration. On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the Your Weight Matters Regional event will take place at the Hilton Memphis, offering a free half-day of trusted education, expert speakers and practical tools to help individuals take charge of
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The holiday season is fast approaching and I just finalized my travel plans. While I’m happy to get to visit loved ones, I’m sad that it will be my last trip with a guaranteed refund for my additional seat.  When Southwest Airlines announced plans to move to assigned seating at the end of 2024, my
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By Joe Nadglowski, President and Chief Executive Officer Reflections on a Big Week for Obesity Care The first week of November was quite the whirlwind for the OAC team! We knew it was going to be a busy one, with half of our staff, myself included, in Atlanta for ObesityWeek, The Obesity Society’s annual meeting.
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  Since 2017, TRICARE has provided comprehensive obesity care for its beneficiaries — including coverage for FDA-approved obesity medications. But in August 2025, that changed. TRICARE announced that retirees would no longer have coverage for these medications and that other beneficiaries could only access coverage through in-network providers. This decision isn’t just unfair — it’s dangerous. It
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Millions of Americans living with obesity face barriers to accessing the treatment they need, including high out-of-pocket costs and limited coverage under Medicare and Medicaid. Thanks to the advocacy of thousands of supporters like you, today’s announcement marks a meaningful step toward breaking down these long-standing barriers to care. OAC Applauds the Administration The Obesity
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October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to recognize the impact of bullying and advocate for respect, inclusion and understanding. At the Obesity Action Coalition, we are inspired by the courage of our Thrive Together teens who share their stories to help others feel seen and supported. One such teen is Annie, whose journey
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John Candy Deserved Better. So Do the Millions Living with Obesity Today. By Joe Nadglowski, President & CEO, Obesity Action Coalition John Candy was more than a comedian. He was a cultural icon, a father, a friend and by all accounts, a deeply kind human being. But as the new documentary John Candy: I Like
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The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) thanks the DeWine Administration and the Ohio Department of Administrative Services for recognizing the need to address the chronic disease of obesity in Ohio. This is a positive first step resulting from months of stakeholder advocacy and outreach to state government leaders. Effective October 7, Ohio will launch a new
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