Obesity
People with obesity are living with a disease—not a choice—and it comes with physical, mental and emotional hurdles. It’s time to address misperceptions, eliminate stigma, and imagine a better future for people around the world navigating this disease.
Living with Obesity: Kristal’s Story
Understanding the Disease
Learning from the People Who Live It
Navigating Obesity: Liz's Story
Liz’s experience is personal, but it isn’t unique. People living with the disease have many of the same challenges. Now, it’s time to better understand what it’s like.
Advancing Science, Addressing Misperceptions
We can imagine a healthier future for people living with obesity. We’re closer than ever before.
As we make strides in this new era of obesity care, there's still a lot of work to be done. Just like other chronic diseases, the more options available to incorporate into a comprehensive treatment plan–including holistic cardiometabolic health—the more potential progress there is for people living with the disease. But those with obesity are also impacted by misperceptions and misinformation that can make care harder to receive.
We’ve been focused on investing in research to develop potential new medications. But scientific breakthroughs must come alongside a shift in how health care professionals, policymakers, employers, and society view and understand obesity.
In partnership with Cerner Enviza, we’ve been conducting a nationwide study focused on how misconceptions influence obesity treatment and anti-obesity medication use. We also join the obesity advocacy community—including medical, patient and health equity groups—to support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act. The act is a step in the right direction to help modernize Medicare Part D to treat obesity as a chronic disease with evidence-based practices.
We’re prepared to do all we can to create a better future.
The Science Behind the Disease
Scientists have been hard at work for decades trying to find new ways to help supplement lifestyle changes with therapies that could help people living with obesity better achieve their health goals.
References
1. Obesity Medicine Association. Accessed November 17, 2022. https://obesitymedicine.org/what-is-obesity
2. CDC. Updated March 21, 2022. Accessed June 17, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/causes.html
3. Mahmoud AM. An Overview of Epigenetics in Obesity: The Role of Lifestyle and Therapeutic Interventions. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022; 23(3):1341. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031341
4. Obesity Action Coalition. Accessed June 22, 2023. https://www.obesityaction.org/wp-content/uploads/Understanding-Obesity-Stigma-Brochure20200313.pdf
5. Rozjabek H, Fastenau J, LaPrade A, Sternbach N. Adult Obesity and Health-Related Quality of Life, Patient Activation, Work Productivity, and Weight Loss Behaviors in the United States. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2020;13:2049-2055. Published 2020 Jun 17. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S245486
6. Cawley J, Biener A, Meyerhoefer C, et al. Direct medical costs of obesity in the United States and the most populous states. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2021;27(3):354-366. doi:10.18553/jmcp.2021.20410
7. Hall KD, Kahan S. Maintenance of Lost Weight and Long-Term Management of Obesity. Med Clin North Am. 2018;102(1):183-197. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2017.08.012