This May, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) dedicated Mental Health Awareness Month to an important and often overlooked conversation: the connection between obesity, mental health and internalized weight bias through its “Care From the Inside Out” campaign. For many people affected by obesity, the hardest conversations are not always the ones happening in public. Sometimes, they are the ones happening quietly inside our own minds.

 

Internalized weight bias happens when harmful messages about weight become beliefs we hold about ourselves. Over time, repeated experiences with stigma in healthcare, media, workplaces, schools and everyday life can shape how someone sees themselves. These beliefs can affect emotional health, relationships and even whether someone feels comfortable seeking medical care or support. 

Throughout the month, OAC created space for honest conversations through personal reflections, educational content, digital discussions and community storytelling. Together, we explored how weight bias can affect self-talk, healthcare experiences and the way people see themselves over time. The campaign encouraged individuals to pause, reflect and recognize they are not alone, while reinforcing the importance of mental health, support and comprehensive obesity care.

OAC remains committed to providing education, support and community for individuals affected by obesity year-round. Through articles, videos, events, advocacy efforts and ongoing conversations, we will continue working to raise awareness of obesity and weight bias while promoting compassion, dignity and respect for all individuals.

While Mental Health Awareness Month may be coming to a close, this conversation does not end here. Because caring for yourself from the inside out is not a one-month message. It is an ongoing journey and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Learn more about internalized weight bias:
Health Talk: Internalized Weight Bias & Your Health
Fresh Perspective Episode: Living with the Inside Voice: Stories of Internalized Weight Bias
Stop Weight Bias Campaign