Tampa, Fla. –Recently, the American Medical Association brought heightened attention to the obesity health crisis in our country by classifying obesity a disease. With this monumental step forward, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is shifting the focus on the individual affected and invites ALL Americans who struggle with their weight to learn proven strategies to manage their weight and health at the 2nd Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention, August 15 – 18 in Phoenix, AZ.

The Convention is a three-day educational event bringing together individuals from across the nation to learn evidence-based weight management strategies from the country’s leading experts on weight and health. This ground-breaking meeting not only provides a diverse offering of education, but also offers a place for the two-thirds of Americans currently struggling with their weight to join together and have their issues and concerns addressed in a sensitive and supportive manner.

Individuals who struggle with obesity and weight-related issues need access to the right resources, education and support. Americans are flooded with misinformation about weight-loss and management, and these mixed-messages leave the individual confused and frustrated. The Your Weight Matters National Convention was built to create the ideal environment for the everyday individual to come and learn the effective and proven strategies to take charge of their weight and health.

“The journey of weight-loss and management is not an easy one. Together, we can give each other the encouragement to make a difference, to improve our health and most importantly to welcome one another in this community. The OAC is an organization of the people. The Convention is a strong symbol of the strength within this community and it provides attendees with the perfect environment to hear from experts, absorb the educational information and support others on their journey,” said OAC President /CEO Joe Nadglowski.

The Convention is set to take place at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa and will present more than 40 educational topics. Regardless of where an individual may be on their journey toward better health and improved weight, the Convention has something to offer everyone.

“I’ve heard the Convention described as ‘powerful’ and ‘life-changing.’ The Convention is described with such passion and enthusiasm because the attendees make this event what it is. It’s their stories, strength and dedication to health that propelled this meeting to the premier conference on weight and health in less than a year,” said OAC Vice-Chairman Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA.

This year’s Convention, Rise to the Challenge, invites any American who currently struggles with or has ever struggled with their weight to join us in Phoenix. The journey toward better health should not be taken alone, and we want you to see, first-hand, that there is a community out there for you. To learn more, visit www.YWMConvention.com.

The OAC would like to thank the 2013 National Sponsors for their generous support: Platinum – Eisai; Gold – Allergan and Vivus, Inc.; Silver – Covidien; Bronze – AmeriWell Bariatrics, Bari Life Bariatric Supplements, Bariatric Advantage, Celebrate Vitamins, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, and Geisinger.
The OAC is a National nonprofit charity dedicated to helping individuals affected by obesity. The OAC was formed to bring together individuals struggling with weight issues and provide educational resources and advocacy tools.