I just got back from the Your Weight Matters National Convention, celebrating the Obesity Action Coalition’s (OAC) 20th anniversary.
The OAC has worked tirelessly to improve access to obesity treatments, raise public awareness, challenge weight bias and provide compassionate obesity care education and support.
This weekend the OAC brought together obesity care clinicians with individuals and families living with obesity.
It was an immersive experience with individuals and families sharing their feelings, lived experiences, advocacy journeys, weight struggles and triumphs.
It was a unique opportunity for clinicians and individuals to share and learn from one another.
If you are living with obesity or a treating clinician, here are some of my take-aways from this incredible weekend:
1-When Clinicians Share, People Listen
“It is not your fault” was a life changing message many clinicians shared with participants over the weekend.
- That’s because obesity is a disease, not a choice or lack of willpower.
“Joy is a skillset you can practice and get better at”, said registered dietitian nutritionist expert Dawn Jackson Blatner.
- This means eating to nourish your body and feel good instead of restricting calories to get skinny.
- It also means having gratitude, not guilt after meals.
“Don’t let the burden of obesity weigh you down and prevent you from seeking evidence-based care”, said Dr. Robyn Pashby, an OAC board member and clinical psychologist.
- This begins with not carrying around the self-imposed judgement, doubt and feelings of failure.
- We need to stop blaming ourselves instead of an ineffective treatment.
“Obesity care is also a family affair; treating a parent with obesity can help the entire family”, said Dr. Stephen Cook, a pediatrician who is supporting the OAC’s Youth and Family Program, Thrive Together.
- Less screen time, more play and better sleep habits are important strategies that can boost the health of all family members.
2- Personal Stories Matter
Throughout the weekend, we heard participant stories and lived experiences that were powerful and moving.
- Laura Gomez shared her struggles and triumphs getting access to obesity care through her teacher’s health plan.
- Abrianna Wolfgram discussed her experiences in the OAC Thrive Together Program for youth and families.
- Teens shared their joy of making new friends and feeling welcomed into a broader community.
The OAC’s judgement-free space encouraged us all to connect on a deeper level as we shared emotions, laughter and some needed fun time on the dance floor.
3-Advocacy Brings Us All Together
Everyone deserves respect and access to quality obesity care and treatments. Noone knows this better than Sarah Bramblette, OAC’s Senior Advocacy Manager.
Sarah described her lived experience that surprisingly ended with a new advocacy career. She left us all thinking about her 3 simple rules:
- If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never get it.
- If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.
- If you don’t step forward, you will always be in the same place.
To learn more about getting started in advocacy, check out the OAC.
RK
Robert Kushner, MD
