Somewhere along the grapevine, you might have heard OAC talk about taking #OACAction. Or, you might have heard about #OACAction from a friend, healthcare provider or even through social media! It’s popping up in online news feeds, OAC educational materials and even as a section on our website. But what exactly does #OACAction mean and why is it important?

Throughout this next week, OAC will talk more about action, what it means and why we need it if we want to elevate and empower individuals affected by obesity. All of this will be in preparation for “Anytime Action Week,” August 27 – 31, where we will equip you with tools to take #OACAction and make a difference! But first, let’s take a look at some basics.

Defining #OACAction

When we talk about taking #OACAction, the concept is really simple. OAC is calling on its Membership Community, as well as all of its supporters and followers, to simply take action and do something positive that moves our work as a nonprofit organization forward in our mission.

Action doesn’t have to be a sweeping gesture that puts you on the news or gets your name across online. Simply put, it’s any sort of gesture that helps us spread awareness about obesity, educate and support people who are affected by it and improve their lives in some way, shape or form. All actions matter and all actions make a difference!

Making #OACAction Something Personal

Taking #OACAction is meant to be easy, engaging, fulfilling and fun! Take action on issues that truly matter to you and spark your interest. There will be those who feel compelled to visit Washington, DC and advocate for important obesity legislation such as the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA). There will also be those who want to speak to their state legislators and share their personal stories in a public way to influence access to obesity care and treatment.

But for those who aren’t ready or willing to take action in a public way, we want you to know that any effort you make is important. For instance, maybe you start by following OAC on social media and sharing our posts. You can also take OAC materials (from our quarterly magazine to our brochures, guides and more) to your healthcare provider’s office, local coffee shop, library, gym and other places in your community. You can also attend OAC’s Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention or simply encourage people you know to call-out weight bias and stigma when they see it take place. The options are endless, and there’s always something for you to do!

There are so many ways to take #OACAction, and we encourage you to explore the variety of different issues OAC cares about to find what matters most to you. All actions, big or small, have an impact – especially when we add them up! Learn how to get started in the OAC Action Center!