This week, Your Weight Matters is helping to recognize Obesity Care Week. This is a national awareness campaign that aims to change the way society care about obesity by:
- Providing science and clinically-based education
- Advocating for access to affordable and comprehensive care
Today, on March 3rd of Obesity Care Week, the focus is on treatment. If you are struggling with your weight, you shouldn’t have to go at it alone. Unfortunately, due to weight stigma, many people don’t think that weight issues need treatment from a medical provider. However, treating weight issues is not as simple as “eat less and move more.” Treatment must be science-based, focused on health, and include a range of options for patients.
What Should Quality Weight Management Treatment Look Like?
- Providers are aware of and consider all appropriate treatment options
- Providers are trained to offer tools and support for successful weight management
- Includes a combination of science-based treatment approaches
- Focuses on biology, psychology, behavior, environment and other causes of weight gain
- Is about health, not a number on the scale
- Involves shared decision-making between the patient and their healthcare provider
- Is science-based, realistic and provides results
- Care is lifelong, not just while a patient is actively trying to lose weight
The Difference it Makes
Having access to weight management treatment can be life-changing. A good example is the story of Patty Nece, whose health journey was transformed when she started seeing an obesity medicine specialist with a refreshing approach to weight management. Read their story HERE.
Even weight-loss as little as 5-10% may reduce the effects of weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and osteoarthritis. Finding a provider, working with them closely and having a trusting relationship can make all the difference.
Examples of treatment options include, but are not limited to:
- Behavior counseling and modifications
- Community-based programs
- Commercial weight-loss products and programs
- Medical weight management
- Bariatric surgery and devices
Resources on Weight Management Treatment:
- Obesity Care Provider Locator – powered by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC)
- Benefits of Obesity Care and Treatment Fact Sheet
- OAC’s Understanding Your Weight Loss Options Brochure
