For more than four decades, Kevin Stephens believed what so many people living with obesity are told: it was his fault. “I always thought it was my fault; I didn’t exercise enough, I ate the wrong things,” says Kevin, who leads a human services department in Riverside County. “That’s a long, long time to feel
Read Article

What Inspired Me to Become an Advocate Cherie Desjardin’s advocacy journey began in 2013, when she underwent gastric bypass surgery through a small program with minimal post-operative follow-up. As a healthcare professional, she had the knowledge and support to navigate her recovery—but she quickly realized that most patients without that background faced a very different
Read Article

Last week, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) along with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and The Obesity Society (TOS), met with staff members of Senate and House Armed Services Committee members to express concern about recent changes to TRICARE coverage for obesity care. Early last month, TRICARE announced that as of
Read Article

Obesity Action Coalition’s Your Weight Matters 2025 National Convention The Obesity Action Coalition’s 13th annual Your Weight Matters National Convention was a three-day, in-person event designed to equip attendees with the tools needed to take charge of their weight and health and to shape a better world for people with obesity. Close to 300 individuals
Read Article

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 20, 2025 Obesity Action Coalition’s 2025 Your Weight Matters National Convention Celebrated 20 Years of Advocacy, Education and Community Tampa, FL – The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) hosted a record-breaking Your Weight Matters National Convention in Washington, DC, celebrating its 20th Anniversary with historic milestones in advocacy, education and family engagement.
Read Article

TROA is Back and We’re Taking Action! Twenty years ago, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) was founded to fill a critical gap — the need for a strong, unified voice representing individuals living with obesity. Since then, we’ve been committed to breaking down barriers to care, fighting weight bias and ensuring that people living with
Read Article

As Obesity Care Week (OCW) 2025 continues, we at the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) can’t emphasize enough the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change for individuals affected by obesity. As a Founding Champion of OCW, we’re invested in advancing obesity care, fighting stigma and advocating for stronger policies. Our impact is amplified through our
Read Article

This year, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is celebrating a major milestone—our 20th Anniversary marking two decades of education, awareness, advocacy and support! What started in 2005 as a small, passionate group of individuals determined to give a voice to individuals affected by obesity has grown into a powerful movement of more than 85,000 people
Read Article

Meet Jordan Waters, a remarkable new member of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) who is stepping up and standing out as an advocate fighting for equal access to obesity care. Jordan’s story reveals her strength and the systemic issues many others face in their battle with obesity care. Jordan’s journey with obesity began in her
Read Article

By Sarah Bramblette During the summer months, the weather is warmer, and the days are longer. There are many reasons to love the summer season, including the additional opportunities to make a difference in your community! Did you know that the summer season is the ideal time to meet your members of Congress without having
Read Article

Tampa, Fla., June 3, 2024—The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) and the STOP Obesity Alliance are proud to announce the release of the “Medicaid Obesity Treatment Coverage Study.” This study is the first to analyze and investigate levels of state Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment options, beyond whether a benefit was covered or not. Healthcare plans
Read Article

This May, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), along with 57 other signing organizations, delivered a letter to the Biden Administration urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide access to comprehensive obesity care. The OAC sign-on letter urges HHS and CMS to
Read Article