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The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) has a long-standing commitment to advancing patient-centered research that elevates the voices, experiences, and needs of people living with obesity. For many years, OAC has collaborated with leading academic institutions, healthcare providers, industry partners, and advocacy organizations to design and support research that meaningfully incorporates perspectives of people living with obesity. These efforts have helped shape evidence-based policies, improve clinical care, and expand understanding of the lived experience of obesity. Through these partnerships, OAC continues to ensure that individuals affected by obesity are active contributors in the research process.
Advisory and Consulting Services
OAC provides specialized advisory and consulting services to support high-quality, patient-centered research. Our team collaborates with investigators and partner organizations on study and survey design, ensuring that research questions, methods, and outcome measures truly reflect the priorities and lived experiences of people living with obesity. OAC also leads and participates in advisory committees for research studies, policy initiatives, and multi-stakeholder projects, offering patient-focused guidance throughout the project lifecycle. In addition, OAC experts work with partners to develop obesity data platforms and curated datasets that elevate real-world patient insights, helping to build research tools that are both scientifically rigorous and grounded in the patient experience.
Patient Recruiting and Focus Groups
One of OAC’s greatest strengths is our nationwide community of engaged members who bring diverse lived experiences with obesity. Through this network, OAC offers partners a unique opportunity to support study recruitment and facilitate meaningful focus groups on key topics in obesity care. Our members are highly motivated to contribute to research that advances understanding, improves treatment access, and reduces stigma. By connecting researchers with individuals directly affected by obesity, OAC helps ensure that studies capture real-world perspectives, generate more relevant findings, and ultimately produce outcomes that better serve patients.
Research Collaboration & Partnership
OAC frequently serves as an essential member of research teams, contributing patient expertise and strategic guidance throughout the lifecycle of a study. As the leading patient-focused research organization in the obesity space, OAC is uniquely positioned to ensure that the lived experience of people with obesity is meaningfully represented in study design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination. Our collaborations with academic institutions, healthcare systems, industry partners, and multi-stakeholder consortia strengthen the relevance and impact of research by integrating real-world perspectives and patient priorities. By partnering with OAC, research teams gain a trusted advocate committed to elevating patient voices and advancing high-quality, patient-centered science.
OAC Research Projects
OAC leads impactful patient-centered research focused on two critical issues in obesity care: access to evidence-based treatment and the effects of weight bias and stigma. Through surveys, mixed methods studies, and collaborative research initiatives, OAC elevates patient voices to identify barriers, document lived experiences, and inform solutions that promote equitable, respectful, and effective care. Our work helps shape policies, clinical practice, and public understanding by ensuring that the real experiences of people living with obesity drive meaningful change.
OAC Publications
OAC actively participates in and contributes to peer-reviewed publications, white papers, policy briefs, and official statements that advance understanding of obesity and patient-centered care. By bringing the patient perspective to these scholarly and policy-oriented efforts, OAC ensures that research findings, recommendations, and advocacy strategies accurately reflect the lived experiences and priorities of people living with obesity. Our contributions help inform clinical practice, guide public policy, and support broader efforts to reduce stigma and improve access to effective obesity care.
This Research Is Possible Because of You
Everything you see here is made possible by the generosity of people who believe everyone deserves better understanding, better care and better outcomes.
Your support helps the Obesity Action Coalition continue research that listens to real experiences, asks important questions and helps move obesity care forward. When you give, you’re helping ensure this work can continue — today and into the future.
Make a donation to keep this research going and help create meaningful change for millions of people.