According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), living with obesity puts you at increased risk of a number of health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Research shows that people with obesity are also more likely to experience sleep problems, including sleep apnea, and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and negative body image.
Growing awareness about these and other health issues has made many Americans struggling with their weight determined to do something about it. According to the published survey results Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 1 in 5 survey respondents reported they were more likely to initiate a discussion about weight with their doctor after the COVID-19 pandemic, and 14 percent reported being willing to try options they hadn’t before, including prescription medications and weight-loss surgery.
“Attitudes toward obesity treatments are changing, and for the better,” says Marina Kurian, MD, president of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). “Obesity is a complex chronic disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach to care that includes medical, nutritional, behavioral and psychosocial support and counseling to achieve the best possible outcomes.”
Of course, for most people, losing weight is easier said than done. “No one plan works for everyone, and that’s why it’s so important to find what works for you,” says Kimberly Gomer, RD, a weight management coach based in Miami. The best approach is to consult a doctor, dietitian, or other medical professional about nutrition and lifestyle changes you can implement into your life.
Once you’ve done this, you may also want to look into support organizations that can help you connect with like-minded people, gain support for common goals, and feel like your voice is being heard. “Trying to make lifestyle changes can be confusing and overwhelming,” says Gomer. “Many people can benefit from the support and accountability they find in support groups.”
There are many organizations that provide support to individuals struggling with obesity. To find someone you want to work with, Gomer suggests doing some exploring and keeping an open mind. “The environment is different depending on each group, so there can be trial and error,” he says. “There are many groups out there, but whether one group would be a better fit over another is individual preference.”
The following eight obesity support organizations are a good starting point and offer many resources to help you on your health journey.
1. Obesity Action Coalition
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to representing those affected by obesity. The group focuses on raising awareness and improving access to effective ways to prevent and treat obesity, providing education on evidence-based interventions, and combating stigma and weight bias to ensure all people are treated equally regardless of size. OAC provides a range of support and advocacy tools, including community discussion forums where you can connect with others going through a similar health journey, a library of written accounts and videos of individuals sharing their personal stories, and an action center full of resources. Help use your voice to encourage local, state, and federal lawmakers to prioritize obesity treatment.
2. American Obesity Foundation
The American Obesity Foundation (AOF) is committed to combating the obesity epidemic in the United States with empathy and compassion at its core, especially concern for vulnerable, low-income and underserved communities. AOF’s initiatives include implementing wellness programs in schools, houses of worship, and community centers; mobile clinics offering health screenings, nutrition classes and health education; and community health coaches who are long-time residents of the communities they serve and are specifically trained in the cultural sensitivities of the communities they work with. The organization’s site also offers a variety of inspiring success stories detailing how each individual lost weight through their own unique journey.
3. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Founded in 1917, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, representing more than 112,000 certified nutrition and dietetics practitioners. As the trusted source of all food and nutrition information, the Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and well-being, including reducing the effects of obesity. The website offers numerous nutritious, balanced recipes for every meal, tips for meal planning, and nutritional advice for living well with chronic health conditions.
4. American Association of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
The mission of this group, the largest group in the country for the specialty of metabolic and bariatric surgery, is “to improve public health and well-being by reducing the burden of obesity and related diseases worldwide.” Founded by surgeons in 1983, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery now has more than 4,000 members and its own scientific journal. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. In addition to advancing professional understanding and treatment of obesity and metabolic and bariatric surgery, ASMBS promotes education about these conditions and advocates for patients to receive the highest quality treatment.
5. Overeaters Anonymous
Available in over 40 countries, Overeaters Anonymous is a community of individuals recovering from an unhealthy relationship with food and body image. There are a variety of ways to join this community, including joining a 12-step program (just like Alcoholics Anonymous) and attending in-person, online, and phone meetings. On the organization’s website, you’ll also find videos and podcasts, including Spanish-language and young adult sections, as well as personal recovery stories.
6. Obesity Care Action Network
Founded in 2015, Obesity Care Action Network (OCAN) is an advocacy network committed to changing how obesity is perceived and approached in the United States. It consists of several organizations whose primary goals are to improve access to evidence-based treatments, eliminate stigma and weight bias, and foster innovation for new obesity interventions. On the website, you can find facts and data about obesity, read news about developments in obesity legislation and the latest scientific research on obesity care, and find advocacy opportunities.
7. Obesity Matters
The Canada-based organization Obesity Matters is comprised of individuals who have lived with obesity and are now working to provide education on interventions for healthy weight, combat weight bias, and empower others to connect with like-minded individuals through their health journeys. It is a membership organization that you can join at no cost and provides a range of resources including community forums, support groups and the latest science-based information on obesity. You can also attend a wellness workshop series, learn about advocacy opportunities, and learn about how to participate in a clinical trial.
8. STOP Obesity Alliance
The Alliance for Strategies to Overcome and Prevent Obesity (STOP) consists of consumer, government, business, and advocacy organizations committed to reversing the national obesity epidemic in the United States. To move towards this goal, the Alliance is committed to conducting research to cure obesity. care and prevention, developing patient and provider tools to better facilitate respectful, productive weight-related conversations, and advocating for policies that increase and improve access to obesity-related care.
Daily HealthThe Weight Loss Reframed Study surveyed 3,144 Americans ages 18 and older nationwide who had tried to lose weight in the previous six months. The study was conducted between July 10 and August 18, 2023, taking into account demographic groups, genders and health conditions. Survey recruitment was conducted via an online portal, in-app, and email. The margin of error for the sample size of 3,144 is +/- 1.7 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.