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You're not alone. Let the top minds in obesity guide you with new options to managing weight.

Struggling with your weight?

You're not alone. Let the top minds in obesity guide you with new options to managing weight

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Often thought of as a personal flaw or lack of willpower, we now know that Obesity is one of the most serious chronic diseases in our country. With nearly 1 in 3 adults who struggle with obesity, it’s time to change the conversation. 

Topic

Obesity & Weight

There are a ton of ways to lose weight, and just as many reasons to do it. Anddy’s lifelong struggle with obesity, compounded by her family history of heart disease, added up to major motivation to transform her life. With the aid of new medications and a whole lot of determination, Anddy is now healthier than she’s ever been at 51. Her journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to make a change. Ready to get inspired?

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Heartfelt | Unraveling the Link Between Obesity & Heart Disease | Episode 3

Novo Nordisk

Obesity is a disease affecting over 100 million people in the United States and is one of the major contributors to heart disease. It’s a tough battle, but many are bravely facing their weight issues and its impact on their heart health against difficult odds.  

In this episode, we meet Maija, a 46-year-old woman who has experienced not just one, but three heart attacks. Despite these challenges, she’s managed to turn her life around for the better. Her story is truly inspiring and a testament to the power of resilience and determination.

Heartfelt | Unraveling the Link Between Obesity & Heart Disease | Episode 1

Born "fat and fine" in the South, Dr. Butch Rosser finds love, acceptance and a life of service, while facing the burden of weight bias in America.

More Than What We See 
An Obesity Journey | Part 1

A new era of understanding - from both the family member's perspective and science offers new hope and approaches for living with obesity.

More Than What We See 
An Obesity Journey | Part 2

Ever wonder why it’s so hard to lose a significant amount of excess weight? This Episode is about your body’s “Set Point”- and why our brains fight so hard to keep us from shedding pounds.  

We’ll meet Joe, a man in his sixties who’s been on a lifelong journey towards better health. With the aid of medication and new interventions, he’s already lost a considerable amount of weight, but he’s got 40 pounds more to go. Learn why today he’s so upbeat about his future and improving his heart health. His story is a testament to perseverance and positivity.

Heartfelt | Unraveling the Link Between Obesity & Heart Disease | Episode 2

Grab a front row seat and watch Face to Face | Rethinking Weight   
This intimate town hall event touches on a wide range of weight management topics with honesty and compassion. Weight management experts, patients, and family members break down why there needs to be a better understanding of the science of obesity, while sharing personal stories of people living with the disease.

Face to Face | Rethinking Weight

Face to Face | Rethinking Weight
| Mini Shows

Mediflix Originals | Obesity + Weight

Obesity is a serious health condition and not a character flaw. To change perceptions about living with the disease of obesity, Queen Latifah discusses the “It’s Bigger Than Me” Movement, sponsored by Novo Nordisk in partnership with OAC.

Queen Latifah Interview | It’s Bigger Than Me

Obesity Action Coalition

My Bariatric Journey

Northwell Health

Weight Loss Surgery Helped Chef Eileen Stay on a Healthy Course

My Bariatric Journey, One Year Later

Patient Stories | Obesity + Weight

Losing weight is hard enough to do, but a biological reason explains why maintaining that weight loss can be so challenging.

Obesity is a complex neurometabolic disease, explains Ania Jastreboff, MD, PhD, a Yale Medicine endocrinologist. When we eat, the body activates nutrient-stimulated hormones, which inform our brains how much fat or energy we are storing. The body then tries to defend an elevated, “defended fat mass set point,” Dr. Jastreboff says.  In the video above, Dr. Jastreboff talks more about the biology of obesity and how medications can help.

How Obesity Medications Work | Yale Medicine Explains

Yale Medicine

Living with diabetes since 2013, Dex teaches us about how different workouts impact blood sugars. Here, he shows us ring rows, back rack reverse lunges, butterfly sit-ups & leg lifts. 

 Starring: Dex Geralds (@dexgeralds)

Stay Strong | E2 
Ring Rows, Back Rack Reverse Lunges, Butterfly Sit-ups & Leg Lifts

Myabetic

Living with diabetes since 2013, Dex teaches us about how different workouts impact blood sugars. Here, he shows us push presses, high pulls, & box jumps.

Starring: Dex Geralds (@dexgeralds)

Stay Strong | E1 
Push Presses, High Pulls & Box Jumps

Matt, living with diabetes since 2009, is a certified fitness trainer, nutritionist, and founder of diabetes coaching program FTF Warrior. Here, he walks us through a workout of squats, push-ups, lunges, ice skaters, & planks. 

Starring: Matt Vande Vegte (@ftfwarrior)

Fit Formula | E1 
Squats, Push-Ups, Lunges, Ice Skaters & Plank

HSS experts explain the relationship between body composition, nutrition, and lifestyle to physical health.

How Fit Are You | Body Composition, Nutrition and Lifestyle

This video explains differences in postural alignment and how to improve your posture.

How Fit Are You | Postural Alignment

HSS experts explain the importance of joint range of motion and flexibility in physical health.

How Fit Are You | Joint Range of Motion and Flexibility

This video explains what the HSS Performance Pyramid is and how it relates to your physical health journey.

The Physical Fitness Performance Pyramid

Learn the importance of muscle strength in physical fitness and health.

How Fit Are You | Strength

Matt, living with diabetes since 2009, is a certified fitness trainer, nutritionist, and founder of diabetes coaching program FTF Warrior. Here, he walks us through a workout of goblet squats, bench press, standing row, military press, and dumbbell row.

Fit Formula | E2 
Goblet Squats, Bench Press, Standing Row, Military Press & Dumbbell Row

Matt, living with diabetes since 2009, is a certified fitness trainer, nutritionist, and founder of diabetes coaching program FTF Warrior. Here, he walks us through a workout of lunges, Russian twist, standing overhead military press and bicep curl.  

Starring: Matt Vande Vegte (@ftfwarrior)

Fit Formula | E3 
Lunge, Russian Twist, Standing Overhead Military Press & Bicep Curl

Learn about the top of the fitness pyramid and how you can improve your power, agility, and speed.

How Fit Are You | Power, Agility, and Speed

This video explains how you can assess your current physical fitness and identify areas of improvement.

How to do a Fitness Self-Assessment

Learn how to improve cardiovascular fitness and your physical health.

How Fit Are You | Cardiovascular Fitness

Learn how to assess and improve your strength  to improve your physical health.

Fitness Self-Assessment | Strength

Learn how to assess and improve your flexibility to improve your physical health.

Fitness Self-Assessment | Flexibility

Learn how to assess and improve your posture to improve your physical health.

Fitness Self-Assessment | Posture

Living with diabetes since 2013, Dex teaches us about how different workouts impact blood sugars. Here, he shows us echo bike, rower & squat jumps. 

Starring: Dex Geralds (@dexgeralds)

Stay Strong | E3 
Echo Bike, Rower & Squat Jumps

Exercise | Getting Active

Heartfelt | The Series

There’s no question that the current treatments are allowing people to change their lives. People will tell me, I’m back to who I was. This is who I used to be. And then something happened. We know that what happened was the disease of obesity. And now that we can treat it, we can get people back to the person they were. 
– Lou Aronne, MD, Obesity Medicine Specialist

Treatments | Dr. Lou Aronne

When people think about obesity, they don’t realize that fat tissue is more than just an inert group of fat cells sitting in the body doing nothing. It turns out that fat is very metabolically active, it does a lot of different things in the body including secretion of hormones that when a person is healthy are helpful to ward off infection and manage normal stresses in the body. 

However, unfortunately when too much fat tissue is present, excessive production of these hormones including substances that are very inflammatory to the body may occur. And this inflammation associated with obesity may increase the risk of heart disease. 
-Jim Januzzi, MD, Cardiologist

Inflammation | Dr. Jim Januzzi

Treatment | Dr. Lou Aronne

Getting Healthy | Senator Bill Cassidy

It’s vital to recognize the change that has occurred in medicine about how we think about what obesity is. Previously obesity was thought to be a choice, rather than it being a true physical disease. Obesity is not a choice, it’s not a moral failing. 
- Jim Januzzi, MD | Cardiologist

Disease | Dr. Jim Januzzi

Pain | Dr. Phil Schauer

Weight Gain | Dr. Phil Schauer

Disease | Dr. Lou Aronne

Mediflix

With the new highly effective medications people now understand that obesity is treatable – so what are we treating? 

It’s a disease that we are treating. If there’s one thing to get across that is so incredibly important to understand about obesity is that obesity isn’t just one simple straight forward disease. Obesity is complex, obesity is chronic, so what it really takes for people to lose weight and keep it off is figuring out a very personalized plan that considers all the factors that lead to obesity, and to develop a plan that is doable for the individual and most importantly, sustainable.  
– Katherine Saunders, MD, Obesity Medicine Specialist

Treatable | Dr. Katherine Saunders

People just make assumptions about other people based on their weight. And it’s really hard to get beyond that even among healthcare providers. There’s a test you can do - it’s called the Implicit Bias Test where you make very quick associations. And even among the most empathetic, compassionate obesity medicine providers we still have some weight bias.  
– Katherine Saunders, MD, Obesity Medicine Specialist

Implicit Bias | Dr. Katherine Saunders

A New Era | Senator Bill Cassidy

Set Point Theory | Dr. Phil Schauer

Bias | Dr. Lou Aronne

Stigma | Dr. Lou Aronne

Obesity by the Numbers | Dr. Phil Schauer

One of the things that I see as an obesity medicine specialist is that people will often come in and say that they’ve tried everything that they could possibly do to lose weight. 

Most people don’t want to have an unhealthy weight. Many times, they just don’t feel well but because of the stigma that they face in society and because of how they feel about it themselves often times they come in in a state of being discouraged, they may self-condemn themselves. We know that we need to teach them that it’s so much more than “Eat Less and Move More.” It’s very complex, it’s something that we need to help our patients through, they need support, and they need someone who is going to be able to listen to them and help them manage this chronic disease state.  
– Dr. Tiffany Lowe Clayton, Obesity Medicine Specialist

Support | Dr. Tiffany Lowe Clayton

When we’re thinking about stigma, it’s not just what we say, it’s also what we do. 

Patients often see us before they hear us, so when they come into a provider’s office it’s important to create a climate that is accepting for every patient regardless of their weight. Looking at things like the chairs that a person may sit in, or the doors that they may walk through, or the exam tables, or even something as simple as weighing on a scale or undressing in an area that’s private for them. Feeling comfortable is extremely important in helping to decrease stigma, decrease bias and helping a patient seek care for their weight.  
– Dr. Tiffany Lowe Clayton, Obesity Medicine Specialist

Doctor Bias | Dr. Tiffany Lowe Clayton

The biggest development for the treatment of obesity in the last few years is the anti-obesity medications. In the past there have been medicines that have done an okay job at helping people lose weight, but they were rarely used. We now have medication that is as effective as surgery. 
– Lou Aronne, MD, Obesity Medicine Specialist

Solutions | Dr. Lou Aronne

Mediflix Minute | Obesity & Weight

Weight is complicated for everyone. What we eat, why we eat, and how we eat it – we have complex relationships with food that begin to form at a very young age. You are not alone.

When You Are Overweight, Overeating is How You Deal with The Pain

There are so many great reasons to care about obesity and its impact on your health. But if you need another, it’s heart disease – the number one killer in the United States.

Obesity is a Major Risk Factor for Developing Heart Disease

The way we see ourselves is not always an accurate picture of where we are. Maija was a very active person suffering from obesity, and it was slowly killing her even though she couldn’t see it. Watch the film series to see how Maija found her strength and overcame obesity.

I Never Moved the Needle in Terms of My Weight

What does a heart attack feel like? It’s different for everyone. Maija had her first heart attack at just 34 years old and it wasn’t what she expected.

I Felt Like I Couldn’t Breathe

Obesity is a disease. It’s not about willpower or effort. The mission of the 'Heartfelt | Unraveling the Link between Obesity and Heart Disease' film series is to bring you a deeper understanding of what obesity is, and the connection between obesity and heart disease.

Obesity | Increase Awareness and Understanding of this Critical Disease

Enough with the negative self-talk! You’re doing your best, it’s NOT that you’re not trying hard enough. It’s that your body won’t let you lose the weight. It’s about biology and how hard your body is fighting back!

Obesity | It's About Your Biology

The things that lead to heart disease can be sneaky. Obesity is a driver of over 200 medical conditions that threaten our health, and these conditions including heart disease get worse as we gain weight. Now there's new hope for controlling obesity.

The Dangerous Medical Effects of Being Overweight

Do you know what it’s like to feel out of control with your own body? You’re not alone.

I Had Gained so Much Weight and That Really Scared Me

We have a lot of internal stereotypes about what obesity “looks like.”   

Most of the time, it just looks like us.

I Didn’t Think of Myself as Heavy

You are not the only one who feels that something is wrong when it comes to being unable to lose weight. Find out exactly why your body won’t let you drop those pounds.

There’s More to it Than Calories in, Calories Out

Why do we care about obesity? Because obesity isn't just an issue of having extra fat. It's an issue a real medical condition, a real disease that's associated with 200 weight-related health complications. One of the most important ones to focus on is cardiovascular disease.

Obesity is associated with 200 weight-related health complications

Let’s get to the heart of the matter: Getting healthy and losing weight can save your life.

Losing Weight Saved My Life

Obesity is a disease. It’s not shameful, it’s not a lack of willpower, it’s not driven by how much you exercise. It’s a disease.

Obesity is not a choice

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women? Learn about one of its silent causes and how you can work to prevent it.

Heart Disease is the #1 Killer of Men and Women in the US

Obesity is a chronic and complex disease. For many years people thought that it was just eat less and move more. But the more that we begin to know about obesity and the complexities of it, we realize that when people deal with an unhealthy weight, there are multiple factors that are at play.

Obesity is a Chronic and Complex Disease

Obesity Shorts 

Rephrasing Obesity as a Disease

In the Know

What Does BMI Tell Us?

Our goal is to make you healthy. Excess weight is a common problem that develops gradually, and can cause fatigue, diabetes, fatty liver, sleep problems and the risk of many cancers. It reduces your energy, leaves you tired and takes the pleasure out of many aspects of your life. Extra weight also places great stress on your vital organs including your heart, liver, kidneys, joints and reproductive system. Organs can work under this extra stress for a number of years, but eventually they are likely to fail. Most organs have to lose about 80 percent of their capacity before symptoms are evident, and by that time it is frequently too late to return them to normal function.

Weight Loss Medicine | Yale Medicine Explains

Adult obesity is associated with a decrease in life expectancy for both men and women, as well as an increase in chronic disease. It is estimated that 163 million adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese – two thirds of men, and more than 60% of women. The damage to health is staggering, but people still struggle every day to drop the pounds. Everyone has different reasons for wanting to lose weight and keep it off, and this episode discusses the challenges and solutions for sustained weight loss.

Conquering Obesity | E5

Second Opinion

What is an Obesity Specialist?

Understanding Obesity is a Disease

The Brain & Obesity

In the Know with Joan Lunden | Obesity

Understanding Obesity + Weight

What Metabolic Surgery Could Do For You

Recent News in Metabolic Surgery

What Options are There Besides Surgery?

After Weight Loss Surgery, Bruce is Living a Happier and Healthier Life

Bariatric surgery can help people lose weight and live healthy, active lives. There are several types of bariatric surgery procedures, but all work by changing the stomach to limit the amount of food you can eat at one time, reducing your appetite and reducing the ability of the body to digest the food consumed. It may be worth considering bariatric surgery if you are obese and have tried other strategies but haven’t been able to take off enough weight to reduce your health risks. It may be helpful to know that bariatric surgery also can greatly improve and sometimes reverse such obesity-related conditions as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and chronic musculoskeletal pain, especially in the hips and knees.

Bariatric Surgery | Yale Medicine Explains

Anti-Obesity Medications for Diabetes

Anti-Obesity Medications

Anti-Obesity Medication + Surgery

People who are overweight or obese tend to gain their weight slowly over time, until they reach a set point where their body feels comfortable. That's where diet, exercise and willpower no longer work. At that point, doctors classify the obesity as a disease. John and Laurie lived this story. They each carried more than 100 extra pounds and were concerned about the health implications. Bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, combined with healthy lifestyle changes, helped them drive their weight down. They found the results to be transformative. There are several types of bariatric surgery procedures. All work by changing the stomach to limit the amount of food a person can eat at one time, reducing appetite and the body's ability to digest food. These surgeries can also greatly improve and sometimes reverse such obesity-related conditions as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and chronic pain in the hips and knees. Body contouring is another type of surgery that can remove excess skin resulting from a major weight loss.

Treating Obesity as a Disease with Bariatric Surgery

Treatment | Medications + Surgery

“A person with obesity still faces a thousand tiny cuts from weight bias every day. It comes at work and school and even at home. It comes from colleagues, friends, and family. It even comes from strangers.”​

#stopWeightBias
Meet Ted

Northwell

We are the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. Our mission is to get people back to what they need and love to do. Through our deep expertise in orthopedics and rheumatology. 

As the largest academic multi-specialty practice in New England, Yale Medicine doctors and researchers collaborate to deliver extraordinary care. We offer specialist expertise, advanced and innovative technology, and a multidisciplinary approach

The nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization to fighting heart disease and stroke.

American Heart Association

Seen on public television stations across the country, the goal of Second Opinion with Joan Lunden, is to promote good health, improve doctor/patient communication and empower viewers to take charge of their own healthcare, and in turn, help them navigate the medical system for better health outcomes. 

 

The OAC mission is to elevate and empower those effected by obesity through education, advocacy and support.

Featured Organizations | Obesity & Weight

The OAC is founded upon a set of core beliefs and demands that define our mission and vision. These beliefs and demands act as our guiding principle for changing the world for individuals affected by obesity.

Beliefs & Demands

Our words and actions matter. Weight bias is a serious issue, and it needs to stop. This campaign is committed to raising awareness, putting a stop to weight bias, and pushing equality forward.

Eliminate Weight Bias and Discrimination

“For my entire life, I’ve been a target of ridicule simply because of my weight. People rarely take time to look beyond my weight to see, well, me.”​

#stopWeightBias
Meet Patty

How Does Weight Stigma Affect Mental & Physical Health?

“It’s taken me many years to attempt to reverse the adverse effects of weight bias. Now, I wake up every day to fight for a world where no child is made to feel bad about themselves for their weight.”​

#stopWeightBias
Meet Faith

“I genuinely didn’t know what meaningful obesity care looked like because we’d never had access to it and we certainly didn’t have coverage for it.”

#stopWeightBias 
Meet Amber

“All weight bias does is trap people in a spiral of shame and self-blame, neither of which works to address the very real, medical problem of obesity.”​

#stopWeightBias 
Meet Nikki

Six Ways to Communicate with Kids About Weight

Mediflix Six

Where is Weight Stigma Most Prevalent?

What is Weight Stigma?

Six Things to Know About Weight Stigma

Obese Vs. Obesity

Weight Bias & Race

Conversations About Weight with Children

Weight Bias & Stigma

Pain Management • While experiencing chronic pain can make it difficult to enjoy everyday activities, there are many ways to help manage chronic pain. Watch to learn how nutrition may help to reduce symptoms of chronic pain.

Pain Management | Nutrition

Learn about the health benefits of turmeric, how it may benefit the liver, and how to use it in your diet.

Turmeric | Foods to Support Gut Health

Michigan Medicine

Learn about the health benefits of capsaicin on your gastrointestinal health, and how to get it in your diet.

Capsaicin | Foods to Support Gut Health

Learn about the benefits of fiber in reducing GI symptoms and supporting your digestive health.

Fiber | Foods to Support Gut Health

Are you healing after a surgery? HSS registered dietitian explains which foods can promote faster and healthy healing.

Foods that Help You Heal Faster

Nutrition + Gut Health

Often thought of as a personal flaw or lack of willpower, we now know that Obesity is one of the most serious chronic diseases in our country. With nearly  1 in 3 adults who struggle with obesity, it’s time to change the conversation.   

Learn about new approaches to living healthy with obesity. 