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Obesity affects everyone differently, but for women, the impact can be more severe, as they face higher risks for related physical and mental health problems.

A 2021 study in the Journal of Mid-Life Health found that women with obesity are twice as likely to die from related health issues compared to men with excess weight.

To tackle these challenges, the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) created a policy agenda called “Enacting Change to Improve Outcomes for Women Living with Obesity Across the Lifespan,” and the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) had the privilege of helping in the process.

This new agenda highlights the need for better research, improved clinical care, greater insurance coverage, increased education and awareness, and more attention to society and social factors that affect health.

“Women have carried the burden of weight stigma and insufficient obesity care for too long,” says Madelyn Adams, Public Policy and Advocacy Manger at the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR).

Key Areas for Change

SWHR’s policy agenda focuses on five main areas:

  1. Research Gaps and Opportunities
  2. Clinical Care
  3. Coverage and Access
  4. Education and Awareness
  5. Societal Determinants of Health (SDOH)

Each section provides recommendations to improve care for women with obesity. For example, the Clinical Care section explores the need to:

  • Update how obesity is classified and diagnosed in health care systems.
  • Educate doctors on treating obesity as a disease.
  • Reevaluate how Body Mass Index (BMI) is used in clinical settings.

Enacting these changes could lead to clearer diagnoses and better insurance coverage, which would improve women’s health outcomes overall.

Along with the policy agenda, SWHR created a social media toolkit called “Call for a Change to Improve Outcomes for Women Living with Obesity” to help people join the conversation about obesity care and fight weight stigma.

A Collaborative Effort

SWHR’s new policy agenda includes webinars, blog posts and roundtable discussions and other resources, many of which the OAC helped produce. They’ve also partnered with organizations like the OAC and EveryBODY Covered to help amplify their efforts. Together, these resources aim to close the gender health gap and improve care for women living with obesity.

Visit SWHR’s website to explore their obesity focus area and learn how you can help support these important initiatives.