Most of us know that millions of people nationwide struggle with their weight – more than half of U.S. adult Americans, in fact. But did you know that only 4 in 10 patients say they’ve ever been counseled about their weight by a healthcare professional?

About OAC’s Your Weight Matters Campaign

Unfortunately, each year, more Americans are diagnosed with excess weight or obesity, as well as more than 50 related diseases and conditions including, but limited, to:

• Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
• Heart disease and hypertension
• Sleep Apnea
• Osteoarthritis

Still, managing weight and its impact on health isn’t simple, as issues related to weight are chronic and complex. The usual advice to “eat less, move more” doesn’t cut it – and no one deserves to go on this difficult journey alone.

That’s why in 2010, the OAC launched its Your Weight Matters Campaign – and it’s been growing with tremendous success since. The Campaign seeks to improve awareness of weight and its impact on health, as well as to encourage individuals who are trying to manage their weight to work with a healthcare provider as part of their efforts.

To date, thousands nationwide have completed the OAC’s Your Weight Matters Challenge and started a discussion with their healthcare provider!

OAC Launches New Campaign PSA

Kicking-off 2019 strong, the OAC is excited to have released our third Campaign public service announcement (PSA) focusing on how weight can affect everyday life. Healthcare providers have a wide range of science-based treatment options for weight management in their toolbox, and the key is to have more people taking advantage of these invaluable services.

The OAC also recognizes that talking about weight can seem intimidating, as weight and health are highly sensitive topics. Many people don’t know where to start in addressing these important issues, but the OAC’s Your Weight Matters Campaign helps bridge the gap by offering a variety of additional resources such as a Campaign Toolkit for starting the conversation and a Health and Wellness Guide.

The OAC’s vision is that through the launch of our new Campaign PSA, more people will be encouraged to take charge of their health, start the next step of their journey and benefit from talking about their weight with a trusted health professional.

To view the OAC’s newest Your Weight Matters Campaign PSA, please CLICK HERE.

Help Someone You Care about: Spread the Word!

Spread the word about our Your Weight Matters Challenge! Be a voice of support to a loved one or patient struggling with their weight by telling them about the Campaign and the resources it offers. Direct them to: YourWeightMatters.org.

Don’t forget about other OAC resources that help patients address their weight and make informed decisions with a healthcare provider! Check out these helpful links:

• OAC’s Obesity Care Provider Locator (ObesityCareProviders.com) helps individuals search for a qualified provider near them to talk with about their weight.
• OAC’s Educational Brochures, Guides and Fact Sheets help individuals learn more about obesity as a disease, weight-related conditions and available treatment options.

To view a complete list of our educational materials, please CLICK HERE. You can also order physical copies of these materials by CLICKING HERE.

Sharing the OAC’s Your Weight Matters Challenge in your personal networks is an easy way to take OAC Action! If you share the Challenge on social media, don’t forget to use #OACAction in your posts, shares and replies. If you share the challenge another way, let us know by sending an email to: Mstep@obesityaction.org.