Just last month, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) hosted its 5th Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention in Washington, DC – and it was a roaring success! More than 600 registrants from around the globe gathered under one roof for a weekend filled with fun, education and advocacy right in our Nation’s Capital!
The National Convention is geared toward anyone who struggles or is concerned about weight-related issues. The entire weekend is dedicated to giving attendees the information, tools and resources that they can use on their journey with weight and health, and it does so in a safe and welcoming environment that embraces each individual’s experiences and backgrounds. What better way to find support for your journey than in a place with like-minded people who encourage you every step of the way!
United Through Our Journeys – Empowered Through Community!
Education – It can be difficult to find evidence-based education on weight and health that is reliable and free of bias. That’s why YWM2016 offered more than 50 educational topics presented by experts from all across the industry! Topics ranged from nutrition basics and behavioral health issues such as food addiction to available treatment options for weight and the science behind willpower. Each session was packed with informational takeaways and motivational breakthroughs so attendees would have the right kind of information to guide their journeys.
Health – Why does our weight matter? It matters for our health. Health is a main priority at Convention, and we wanted to create an environment that makes “healthy” choices the easy choices. From carefully crafted foods prepared by one of our expert dietitians to organized exercise classes and demonstrations (walks, runs, yoga, aquafit, Tai Chi, etc.), our attendees fueled their body with powerful nutrition and kept moving throughout the weekend! For information beyond the educational sessions, attendees even had the opportunity to eat lunch with the experts and ask them a variety of questions.
YWM Healthy Living EXPO – The Healthy Living EXPO at YWM2016 featured more than 30 hand-picked vendors with a wide variety of products and services to assist individuals on their journeys with weight and health. And, on the Saturday of the Convention, we hosted a Community Health Outreach Day in partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington and B’More Fit for Healthy Babies to open our doors to the local DC community so the public would have access to these resources too!
Advocacy – Throughout the weekend, YWM2016 showed attendees a variety of ways that they can advocate for a healthier and stronger future – for themselves and for the OAC! From hands-on advocacy training sessions and a visit to Capitol Hill (where the legislative process takes place) to a special march around the Convention site, we came together to inspire new ways of thinking and engaging with our health.
Community – No one is a stranger at Convention. Attendees from different locations, demographics, experiences and backgrounds came together in a place that they could call “home.” The 2016 Convention saw more diversity than ever before, which goes to show that weight and health are important no matter whoever and wherever you are. Vendors, experts, individuals on the journey with weight and health and even their friends/family members were all welcome – there was something for everybody at YWM2016!
YWM2017 Announced!
On Friday night at our welcome reception, the OAC unveiled our new location for our 6th Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention. Next year, we’ll be coming together again in the vibrant city of New Orleans from August 10-13 at the beautiful Sheraton Hotel! We encourage you to save the date for YWM2017 and stay tuned for updates through our Convention E-News Alerts by CLICKING HERE.
Want to learn more about our powerful and inspiring weekend in Washington, DC at YWM2016? You can visit the OAC’s Storify profile to view pictures, updates and digital memories from the event by CLICKING HERE.
