Last week, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) attended ObesityWeek 2023 in Dallas, Texas! ObesityWeek 2023, hosted by The Obesity Society (TOS), was a four-day conference dedicated to the latest developments in evidence-based obesity science. At the conference, OAC had the pleasure of representing the perspectives of patients with obesity.
OAC, TOS and TOPS Club, Inc. presented on helping researchers and educators learn how they can include the lived experience of obesity in their activities to better reflect the needs and interests of those living with obesity. Advocates, including OAC’s Immediate-past Board Chair Patty Nece, presented on tying the lived experience to obesity research. OAC Board Member Dr. Robyn Pashby and Community Member Maya Cohen presented on addressing the damaging effects of weight stigma, and OAC Board Member Sarah Bramblette spoke about living with obesity and lipedema.
OAC also presented with TOS and the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) about approaches for healthcare providers to support older adults living with obesity. In this session, Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford focused on the damaging effects of bias and stigma that get in the way of delivering good care to older adults living with obesity. One key takeaway from the session is to overcome this kind of weight bias, healthcare providers must attention to and address any shown bias by the care team.
OAC is honored to have been a part of ObesityWeek 2023, and we can’t wait to participate next year!