AMWA joins National Obesity Care Week 2016: Take 5 to Change the Way We Care
Today, more than a third of the adult population, 36.5 percent, is affected by obesity. The number of adults who are affected by severe obesity continues to rise. It’s time for a change in obesity care. With severe obesity on the rise, our nation, led by the healthcare community, must attack this disease from multiple angles and unite to overhaul the treatment of obesity. In AMWA, we recognize this challenge and the important role we can play.
The 2nd Annual National Obesity Care Week (NOCW), October 30 through November 5, seeks to ignite a national movement to ensure anyone affected by obesity receives respectful and comprehensive care. AMWA is proud to join the Campaign, which was founded by The Obesity Society, the Obesity Action Coalition, Strategies to Overcome and Prevent Obesity Alliance and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Like-minded organizations are also joining the Campaign from across the healthcare industry.
All of the supporters recognize that obesity is a multifactorial disease that can only be addressed with the full spectrum of evidence-based medical strategies. These strategies include:
- Intensive Behavioral Treatment
- Behavior modification: exercise, diet/meal replacement, support groups
- Weight management products and programs
- Healthcare provider-supervised weight management
- Medications for weight loss and chronic weight management
- Bariatric surgery
Although we must educate people about these care options, we must also address barriers to care, such as weight bias in both society and among the medical community. This year, the Campaign launched its Take 5 Challenge to inspire action and encourage productive conversations around comprehensive obesity care in ways that will support patients and change practice. Take 5 provides healthcare professionals with the tools and information they need to appropriately and compassionately address obesity care with patients, peers or people.
More information about National Obesity Care Week and their Take 5 Challenge, including trusted medical tools and resources, is available on www.obesitycareweek.org.
We need more voices – your voice – to reach our goal of achieving better care. Take the “Treat Obesity Seriously Pledge” or contact info@obesitycareweek.org for more information on how to sign on as a supporter. Mark your calendars, and join us in recognizing National Obesity Care Week, October 30th – November 5th.
