Obesity and advocacy: A joint clinical perspective and expert review from the obesity medicine association and the obesity action coalition - 2024

Background

This joint clinical perspective by the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) and Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) provides clinicians an overview of the role of advocacy in improving the lives of patients living with the disease of obesity, as well as describes opportunities how to engage in advocacy.

Methods

This joint clinical perspective is based upon scientific evidence, clinical experiences of the authors, and peer review by the OMA leadership. The Obesity Medicine Association is the largest organization of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and other clinical experts (i.e., over 5000 members at time of print) who are engaged in improving the lives of patients affected by the disease of obesity. The OAC is a national nonprofit organization of more than 80,000 members who are dedicated to serving the needs of individuals living with obesity.

Results

Advocacy involves educational and public policy initiatives that through relationships, networks, and targeted strategies and tactics (e.g., traditional media, social media, petitions, and direct communication with policy makers), promote public awareness and establish public policies that help mitigate bias, stigma, and discrimination, and generally improve the lives of patients living with the disease of obesity.

Conclusions

An objective of advocacy is to foster collective involvement and community engagement, leading to collaborations that help empower patients living with obesity and their clinicians to seek and achieve changes in policy, environment, and societal attitudes. Advocacy may also serve to enhance public awareness, promote prevention, advance clinical research, develop safe and effective evidenced-based therapeutic interventions, and facilitate patient access to comprehensive and compassionate treatment of the complex disease of obesity.