Obesity Action Coalition - OAC

02/25/2026

Exciting updates are on the way for this year’s Your Weight Matters National Convention. We’ll begin unveiling our incredible speaker lineup next week, and you won't want to miss it. In the meantime, make sure you are ready. Rooms at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld are filling quickly. Secure your room now so you are set when registration opens in March. https://www.ywmconvention.com/attend/hotel-information/

02/25/2026

When a winter cold hits, appetite often drops, but your body still needs hydration, protein and key nutrients to recover. Simple, easy-to-digest options like soup can help support immune function and keep you nourished when energy is low. Get practical tips and protein-focused soup ideas from our Your Weight Matters blog. Read the full post here: https://bit.ly/3OKSuLn

When a winter cold reduces appetite, the body still needs fluids and nutrients to support recovery. Hydration, protein, electrolytes, and easily digestible foods are especially important, even in small amounts. Simple meals can meet these needs without overwhelming low energy or appetite.

02/25/2026

Weight bias harms health and can keep people from seeking care. OAC works to ensure people affected by obesity are treated with dignity — in health care, workplaces and everywhere else. We are committed to creating stigma-free spaces where respect is the standard. Join us next week by pledging to care and taking action: obesitycareweek.org/

02/24/2026

Leaders at the Florida State Capitol called for serious action on obesity prevention and treatment. State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, joined by Rep. Susan Valdés, highlighted SB 1070 and HB 977 to expand comprehensive, evidence-based obesity care for Florida’s state employees and their families. The legislation would strengthen access to behavioral interventions, FDA-approved medications and surgery, recognizing obesity as a complex, chronic disease. Read more and take action to help move Florida forward: https://bit.ly/4c6Ejdn

Florida lawmakers are advancing SB 1070 and HB 977 to strengthen obesity prevention and treatment for state employees and their families. Learn how this legislation expands access to comprehensive, evidence-based care and how you can take action.

02/24/2026

Awareness changes outcomes. OAC works to shift the conversation around obesity from blame to understanding, grounded in science and lived experience. We’re proud to support and efforts that promote dignity, respect and better care for people living with obesity. Take the pledge early and commit to care: obesitycareweek.org

02/23/2026

For years, Jamie, an OAC Member, saw exercise as punishment. After beginning an obesity medication in 2023, he discovered a new relationship with movement and now walks, hikes and strength trains regularly. Jamie even became a certified personal trainer, embracing what his body can do rather than what it should burn. Read his inspiring story featured in The New York Times: https://bit.ly/40o9R7l

02/22/2026

Thrive Together’s first newsletter of 2026 is coming in March. It offers tips on healthy habits, body positivity, bullying prevention and ways to support your child’s wellness journey. Get trusted resources and guidance to help your family thrive. Sign up for the newsletter today: obesityaction.org/thrivetogether

02/22/2026

We’re proud to welcome Parexel to the OAC Corporate Council at the Bronze level. Thank you for standing with us and helping move the conversation forward. Together, we are working to create a future where everyone living with obesity has access to respectful, comprehensive care.

Interested in joining the OAC Corporate Council and making a meaningful impact? Learn more about how to get involved: obesityaction.org/corporate-council/

02/21/2026

Healthy habits do not have to be complicated or expensive. Families can start by taking a walk together, cooking a simple meal or checking in with each other at the end of the day. Even little things like movement breaks, drinking more water and steady sleep routines add up over time. Read the full article for 10 simple ways your family can build healthy habits together. https://bit.ly/46hcLhE

by Michelle “Shelly” Vicari, OAC Director of Programs Winter 2026   Building healthy habits as a family does not require expensive programs, special foods or rigid schedules. For many families, time, money, energy and access are already limited. Between work, school, caregiving and everything e...

02/21/2026

Your experience can make a difference. Help shape the future of health by improving weight-management care. Visit heart.org/GoBEYOND to learn more.

02/21/2026

During Obesity Care Week on March 3, the OAC will premiere on YouTube Every Body Deserves Care: Reimagining Access and the Patient Experience in Healthcare, a new Fresh Perspectives episode that examines the real barriers people living with obesity face in medical settings. The conversation features insights from Molly Hales, MD, PhD; Angela Fitch, MD; Patty Nece, JD; Sarah Bramblette, MSHL and James Zervios, OAC vice president and COO.

Together, they discuss how inaccessible spaces, inadequate equipment and stigma shape the patient experience and share actionable steps to build more respectful and inclusive healthcare environments. Because every body deserves care.

02/20/2026

In the latest Unity in Health and Community podcast, FJMC International and James Zervios, OAC Vice President and COO, discusses how the OAC empowers and educates people affected by the disease of obesity, helping them understand their treatment options and take control of their health. He shares why it’s so important for men to prioritize their health and explores the impact of stigma around the word obesity. To learn more listen here: https://bit.ly/4aANLVn

A conversation with James Zervios of the Obesity Action Coalition and its partnership with FJMC's Health and Wellness Initiative.