| Bringing you OAC's latest news, stories and opportunities so you can stay connected |
|  | March 2025 Monthly Updates: March was an exciting month for OAC! We’ve wrapped up Obesity Care Week and reflected on the incredible advocacy efforts that help drive awareness for people living with obesity. Plus, exciting news for the 2025 Your Weight Matters National Convention—Early Bird Registration is now open and the full Program Agenda is available! In advocacy, we’re making strides with the CMS Proposed Rule, launching new OAC Action Teams and standing firm on patient safety in compounding regulations. And that’s just the start—this month’s newsletter is packed with important updates, so keep reading! |
|
|
| Hot Off the Press! Latest News |
| Early Bird Registration Now Open for OAC's Your Weight Matters National Convention — Make Your Plans to Attend! |
| The Your Weight Matters National Convention is back! Join us July 24-26, 2025, in Washington, DC, for a weekend of expert-led education, hands-on learning and a supportive community that understands the journey with weight and health. Explore sessions on the science behind weight, the link between mental health and obesity, sustainable eating, goal-setting and more. Take part in inclusive fitness sessions for all levels, visit Exhibitors and connect with others on a similar path. View the full Program Agenda here! |
|
|
| Scholarship applications open TOMORROW, April 1! Apply for a scholarship to help offset costs and make this transformative event more accessible. Early Bird Registration is open through April 30—take advantage of the lowest registration rates and book your stay at the Arlington Renaissance Capital View Hotel with OAC’s discounted Room Block. Start making your plans today to join us in DC! |
| |
|
While YWM2025 is designed for individuals seeking science-based education on weight and health, many healthcare professionals attend to gain deeper insight into the challenges their patients face. Nurses and other health professionals can earn up to 13.5 CE credits while learning alongside the community they serve. Learn More |
|
|
| | Thank You for Supporting Obesity Care Week! With Obesity Care Week (OCW) behind us, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who participated! Whether you signed the "Commit to Care" Pledge, contacted policymakers or helped spread awareness, your involvement made a difference. While OCW is just one week, the fight to change the way we care about obesity continues every day. OAC works daily to expand access to care, end weight bias and provide quality, science-based education to help individuals better understand and manage their health. Discover more ways to take action through OAC's Action Center. |
|
|
|
|
| | OAC at SXSW 2025 Earlier this month, Joe Nadglowski, OAC’s President and CEO, joined NSYNC’s Lance Bass and Dr. Geeta Nayyar, MD, MBA, at SXSW for an important discussion on health misinformation and the realities of living with chronic conditions. The event served as a powerful reminder that many individuals live with chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes, often in silence. Fighting stigma and focusing on facts is more critical than ever. Let’s continue these conversations to combat misinformation and break down stigma! Listen to the recording! |
|
|
| | Did You Miss It? Our First Thrive Together Newsletter is OUT NOW! If you’re navigating the challenges of supporting a child's health and well-being, you're not alone. Thrive Together, OAC's new Youth and Families Program, is here to provide compassionate, judgment-free resources to help you along the way. From mealtime struggles to emotional well-being, we offer practical support to help your family thrive—without the guilt or confusion. Don’t miss out—sign up for our newsletter to get future quarterly copies delivered straight to your inbox! |
|
|
| | Imagine a World Without Weight Stigma—Share Your Vision in OAC's Creative Contest As part of OAC’s 20th Anniversary celebrations, we’re inviting artists, writers and creators to bring their vision of a world free from weight stigma to life. Through visual art, essays, poetry and prose, participants can explore what a future without weight stigma looks like, feels like, and how it would transform healthcare, media, workplaces, schools and communities. Top entries will be showcased at OAC’s Your Weight Matters National Convention in Washington, DC, with grand prizes including a trip to the event and a $500 award! Selected works may also be featured in OAC’s advocacy campaigns, on a limited-edition tote bag and across our digital platforms. Deadline: May 27, 2025—don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard! Learn more and submit your work. |
|
|
| | OAC Community Spotlight:
Scholarship Recipient Yolanda Shares Her Story |
| |  | Meet Yolanda, a recipient of the Rob Portinga Memorial Scholarship Fund. Attending OAC's Your Weight Matters National Convention was a life-changing experience for her—one that provided support, education and a sense of community she'll carry with her forever. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Yolanda had the opportunity to connect with others who understand her journey and gain valuable information to support her health. Watch Yolonda’s story and see the impact of this scholarship in action! Scholarship applications to attend YWM2025 open tomorrow, April 1. Please consider donating to the Fund! |
|
|
|
|
| | Ensuring Safe Access to GLP-1 Medications With GLP-1 shortages resolved, access has improved—but safety remains a concern. This month, OAC and The Obesity Society (TOS) led a coalition of 20+ organizations in urging the FDA to enforce federal compounding regulations. Read our statement here. We know this issue affects our community, and you deserve the facts. In a new blog post, OAC President & CEO Joe Nadglowski explains the risks of compounded GLP-1s and why we urge caution. Your health matters, and we’re committed to advocating for treatments that are not just available but also safe and effective. |
|
|
|
|
| | Join an OAC Action Team! OAC’s new Action Teams give members a chance to influence obesity policies at the state and federal levels, from contacting lawmakers and submitting testimony to signing petitions and raising awareness. Before we open them to the public, we’re inviting you to get involved! There’s no ongoing commitment—just a readiness to act when needed to expand access to care, fight weight stigma and improve obesity treatment policies. Sign up today! |
|
|
| | CMS Proposed Rule Update The White House’s proposal to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage for obesity medications saw overwhelming support— 31,000+ public comments, with 17,000+ mentioning obesity. This month, OAC met with key government officials to advocate for its approval, highlighting the impact of coverage and cost benefits. With about 30 officials in attendance, interest was strong! We expect the rule to return to CMS in early April and be finalized by the end of May. Take Action through the OAC Action Center to urge the Trump Administration to support the Rule! Learn more in our recent webinar from Obesity Care Week. |
|
|
| | OAC Educational Resources |
| New OAC Health Talk: Endoscopic Procedures for Obesity Are you curious about non-surgical options for treating obesity? Watch our latest Health Talk, where top experts Andrew Storm, MD and Michael Ujiki, MD explore endoscopic procedures. They’ll break down the available options, how they work, who they’re for and why some patients choose endoscopic procedures over surgery. Watch the episode on YouTube! |
| Ask the Experts Join clinical health psychologist Robyn Pashby, PhD, on April 8 at 2 PM ET for a live, virtual conversation as part of the American Diabetes Association's "Ask The Experts" series, where she’ll share strategies for having empowering conversations about obesity with your healthcare team. Registration is free, so don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to learn how to navigate these important discussions. Register Now! |
|
|
|
|
| Find the Right Tools for Your Journey Navigating obesity treatment options can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our Understanding Your Obesity Treatment Options brochure breaks down common approaches—including behavior changes, medical treatments and bariatric surgery—so you can explore what works best for you. Get the brochure now. Looking for more print resources? The OAC provides unbiased, science-based education to support individuals on their weight management journey. From brochures and guides to posters and postcards, we offer a variety of free materials to help you make informed decisions. Explore more resources. |
| |
|
| | Help Make YWM2025 Accessible Everyone deserves the chance to learn about their weight and health—regardless of financial barriers. The Rob Portinga Memorial Scholarship Fund helps individuals attend the Your Weight Maters National Convention in person. This year, Geisinger Health System is doubling the impact with a matching gift for every donation! Your support can provide life-changing education and community to someone in need. Scholarship applications open April 1st—but we need your help to fund them! Donate today to make a difference in someone’s journey. |
|
|
|
|
| | March OAC Corporate Council Updates: The OAC's Corporate Council recognizes companies and organizations who support our mission and play an integral role in helping us provide education, advocacy and support. This month, we want to thank Fay Nutrition for joining at the Patron level, AstraZeneca for joining at the Silver level, Dexcom for joining at the Silver level and Wondr Health for renewing at the Bronze level. Click here to learn more about the OAC Corporate Council. ——— |
|
|
| Join OAC Community+ for Only $20 This Year! If you love receiving updates from the OAC and don't want to miss out on anything we do or offer, we encourage you to join OAC Community+ Membership for only $20 this year in honor of our 20th Anniversary! Upgrading to a Community+ Membership gives you special access to OAC's offerings, such as live support chats, a print issue of Weight Matters Magazine each quarter, discounts and advance registration for events, and much more. |
| |
|
|
|
| | Obesity Action Coalition
4511 North Himes Ave., Suite 250 | Tampa, Florida 33614
(800) 717-3117 | [email protected] |
| Follow Us on Social Media! | The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating and empowering individuals affected by obesity through education, advocacy and support. We work to raise awareness of and eliminate weight bias and discrimination in healthcare, education, media and the workplace; fight to improve access to science-based treatment and care of obesity for those who choose to seek it; and provide support through education and community events. LEARN MORE |
|
|
| | |
|
|
