Obesity comes with an increased risk of a number of health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. People with obesity are also more likely to experience sleep trouble, including sleep apnea, and mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and negative body image.
“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 results,” says Marina Kurian, MD, a former president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Fortunately, there are ways for individuals who struggle with obesity to get support. A number of organizations exist to help like-minded people connect, support one another in their common goals, and feel heard.
To find one you’d like to work with, Kimberly Gomer, RD, a weight management coach based in Miami, suggests exploring and being open-minded. “The vibe is different depending on each group, so it may be trial and error,” she says. “There are many groups out there, but it is individual preference as to if one group will be a better fit than another.”
The following eight obesity support organizations offer a great starting point for your health journey.
1. Obesity Action Coalition
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to representing those who are 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 fighting stigma and weight bias to ensure all people are treated equally regardless of size. The OAC provides a number of support and advocacy tools, including community discussion forums where you can connect with others going through a similar health journey, a library of videos and written accounts from individuals sharing their personal stories, and an action center filled with resources to help you use your voice to urge local, state, and federal legislators to prioritize obesity care.
2. American Obesity Foundation
With empathy and compassion at its core, the American Obesity Foundation (AOF) is committed to fighting the obesity epidemic in the United States with particular concern for vulnerable low-income and under-served communities. The AOF’s initiatives include wellness programs in schools, houses of worship, and community centers; mobile clinics offering health screenings, nutrition classes, and health education; and community wellness coaches who are longtime residents of the communities they serve and specially trained in cultural sensitivities for the populations they work with. The organization’s site also offers an inspiring variety of success stories, detailing how each individual lost weight in their own unique way.
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 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners. A trusted source of all food and nutrition related information, the Academy is committed to advancing the country’s health and well-being, including reducing the impacts of obesity. Its website offers numerous nutritious, well-balanced recipes for every meal, tips for meal planning, and dietary recommendations for living well with chronic health conditions.
4. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
The mission of this group, the largest in the nation for the specialty of metabolic and bariatric surgery, is to “improve public health and well-being by lessening the burden of the disease of obesity and related diseases throughout the world.” 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 the professional understanding and treatment of obesity and metabolic and bariatric surgery, ASMBS promotes education about these conditions and advocates for patients to receive the best quality treatment.
5. Overeaters Anonymous
Available in more than 75 countries, Overeaters Anonymous is a community of individuals recovering from an unhealthy relationship with food and body image. There are a number of ways to join this community, including participating in the 12-step program (much like Alcoholics Anonymous) and joining face-to-face, online, and telephone meetings. On the organization’s website you’ll also find videos and podcasts, including episodes in Spanish and for young adults, as well as personal stories of recovery.
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 is made up of a diverse group of organizations whose main goals are to improve access to evidence-based treatments, eliminate stigma and weight bias, and foster innovation for new obesity interventions. On its website, you can get facts and data on obesity, read news stories on advancements in obesity legislation and the latest scientific research around obesity care, and find advocacy opportunities.
7. Obesity Matters
The Canadian organization Obesity Matters is made up of individuals who have lived with obesity and are now working to provide education on healthy weight interventions, fight weight bias, and empower others to connect with like-minded individuals. It’s a member organization that can be joined at no cost and provides a number of resources, such as community forums, support groups, and the latest science-based information about obesity. You can also partake in wellness workshop series, learn about advocacy opportunities, and get information on how to join a clinical trial.
8. STOP Obesity Alliance
The Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance is made up of consumer, government, business, and advocacy organizations dedicated to reversing the national obesity epidemic in the United States. To move toward this goal, the Alliance is committed to conducting research on improving obesity care and prevention, develop patient and provider tools to better facilitate respectful, productive conversations around weight, and advocate for policies that increase access to and improve obesity-related care.
Everyday Health’s Weight Loss Reframed Survey queried 3,144 Americans nationwide ages 18 and older who had tried losing weight in the previous six months. The study was fielded between July 10 and August 18, 2023, across demographic groups, genders, and health conditions. Survey recruitment took place via an online portal, in app, and via email. The margin of error for the sample size of 3,144 is +/-1.7 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
The Takeaway
Conversations about and treatments for obesity are improving.
Many obesity support organizations offer resources, news, and platforms for connection for those with obesity.
Some organizations list opportunities for advocacy or joining clinical trials.
