How OAC Shows Up: The Four Pillars that Guide Our Work

by OAC Staff

Winter 2026

At the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), our work is guided by a simple belief: people deserve trustworthy information, respectful care, and meaningful support. Everything we do is shaped by four pillars: education, advocacy, support and awareness. These pillars are not abstract ideas. They show up in real ways through our programs, resources and events designed to meet people where they are.

Education: Clear, Trusted Information You Can Use

Education is often the first way people connect with OAC, and it remains at the heart of our work. When it comes to weight and health, information can feel confusing or hard to trust. OAC exists to share clear, science-based education that reflects real lives and real challenges.

Our education takes many forms because people learn in different ways. Some begin by reading articles in Weight Matters Magazine or watching a Health Talk that breaks down complex topics into plain language. Education also happens in person. OAC hosts Regional Events across the country that bring half-day programs closer to home, making it easier to attend without long travel or high costs. Our National Convention brings people together for several days of education and shared experience. Individuals, families, advocates and health care professionals gather in one place to learn from experts and from one another.

Advocacy: Real Voices Making Change

Advocacy is a core part of OAC’s work. It is how real experiences help create change and expand access to care and treatment. While advocacy is often tied to politics, at OAC it starts with everyday life. Our focus is improving access to obesity care, reducing weight bias and increasing understanding that obesity is a chronic disease. This includes national efforts like Obesity Care Week, the Stop Weight Bias campaign and ongoing education for policymakers about the barriers people face when seeking care.

Advocacy does not look the same for everyone, and that is OK. For some, it means sharing their personal story or taking action through the OAC Action Center. For others, it may mean speaking up during a health care visit, joining awareness efforts or staying informed through newsletters. Some people engage publicly. Others participate in quieter ways. All of these approaches matter.

Support: You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Support is woven into everything OAC offers. Living with obesity can feel isolating, especially in a world that often misunderstands it. OAC works to create spaces where people feel seen, respected and understood.

Support looks different depending on what someone needs. For some, it means finding comfort in reading stories from others with similar experiences. For others, it may be learning how to navigate difficult conversations with family members, employers or health care providers. Support can also mean helping people better understand their options and rights when seeking care.

OAC’s support is grounded in respect. It centers listening, understanding and making space for people to move through their health journey in ways that feel right for them. Our resources reflect real life, including the emotional and social sides of health, not just the physical. Support also extends to families and caregivers. Helping loved ones better understand obesity can reduce blame, strengthen relationships and create more compassionate spaces at home, at work and in health care settings.

Awareness: Changing the Conversation

Awareness brings OAC’s work into the broader world. It is about changing how obesity is understood, talked about and treated. Through awareness, OAC works to challenge myths, reduce stigma and replace blame with understanding.

Awareness shows up through national campaigns, media outreach, educational tools and social storytelling that elevate real experiences. It also happens in everyday moments, like sharing an article, correcting misinformation or choosing more respectful language. By increasing awareness, OAC helps create environments where people affected by obesity are met with compassion rather than judgment.

This pillar supports the others by opening doors. Awareness helps people find education they can trust, understand why advocacy matters and recognize the importance of support. It helps families, employers, health care providers and policymakers see obesity more clearly and respond more thoughtfully.

How the Pillars Work Together

Each pillar plays an important role on its own, but their real strength comes from how they work together. Education helps people feel informed and empowered. Advocacy works to improve systems and access. Support creates space for understanding. Awareness expands understanding and changes attitudes. Many people connect with OAC through one pillar and discover others over time.

It Starts With Joining the Community

Everything OAC offers is rooted in connection. Joining the OAC community is the first step to staying informed, supported and engaged in ways that fit your life. Membership is free and open to anyone who wants to learn, stay connected or feel less alone.

Whether you read an article, attend an event or quietly follow along on social media, being part of the OAC community keeps you connected to education, advocacy, support and growing awareness. You can learn more and join at ObesityAction.org/join. Wherever you are on your journey, OAC is here to show up with you.

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