What is OCW?

Originally founded in 2015 as NOCW (National Obesity Care Week), in 2019 the awareness campaign became OCW (Obesity Care Week) and has a global vision for a society that understands, respects and accepts the complexities of obesity and values science and clinically-based care.

Obesity Care Week (OCW) aims to change the way society cares about obesity by:

  • Providing science and clinically-based education on obesity
  • Advocating for access to affordable and comprehensive care

Our Beliefs

  • Weight bias in healthcare, employment, entertainment and education needs to end.
  • Individuals with obesity need to work with a healthcare provider to manage their obesity long-term.
  • Obesity is a chronic disease that needs access to and coverage of science-based treatment to improve an individual’s weight and health.
  • Healthcare providers need training to provide effective, compassionate, science-based care and use shared decision-making.
  • Providers and policy makers must recognize the need for further investment in the education, prevention and treatment of the disease of obesity.

NOCW2019 by the Numbers

49

million media impressions

55

countries had individuals participate in NOCW2019

50

champion organizations supported NOCW2019

150

legislative visits during NOCW2019

Why Obesity?

Today, the disease of obesity affects more than 93 million Americans, and more than 33 percent of Americans are affected by excess weight. Obesity Care Week brings the topic of obesity in the forefront and helps individuals with obesity get access to science and clinically-based treatments.

30%

The percent of annual healthcare costs people with obesity spent treating obesity-related conditions.

$480 Billion

Estimated cost of annual obesity-related healthcare

230

Number of diseases and disorders linked to obesity.

Nearly 50%

Estimated percentage of older adults affected by obesity in 2030 if no change is made today.

OCW Champions

  • Amanda Velazquez, MD

  • O.C.E.A.N.S.

  • Dr. Patel, Kiran Multi Super Speciality Hospital

  • Metta Weight Management

  • Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy

  • American Alliance for Healthy Sleep

  • The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease

  • Jersey Medical Weight Loss

  • NASH Alliance

  • Kiran Hospital, Surat, Gujarat

  • Plus Size Certified

  • Valley Diabetes and Obesity

  • Liver Health Initiative

  • American College of Preventative Medicine

  • Ohio State University College of Nursing

  • BMI of Texas

  • Global Liver Institute

  • Fatty Liver Foundation

  • Obesity Canada

  • Cardiometabloic Health Congress

  • Fairfield County Bariatrics

  • IFSO

  • National Center for Weight and Wellness

  • American Academy of Sleep Medicine

  • Healthcare Leadership Council

  • American Medical Women’s Association

  • National Business Group on Health

  • Grand Health Partners

  • New York Institute of Technology – College of Osteopathic Medicine

  • TOPS Club, Inc.

  • Foundation Surgical Hospital of San Antonio

  • American College of Surgeons

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

  • Osteoarthritis Action Alliance

  • American Association of Nurse Practitioners

  • Society of Behavioral Medicine

  • ASPEN

  • The College of Contemporary Health

  • European Association for the Study of Obesity

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

  • ConscienHealth

  • The Endocrine Society

  • STOP Obesity Alliance

  • American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

  • The Obesity Society

  • Obesity Action Coalition

  • American Medical Group Association

  • Obesity Medicine Association

  • Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity

  • American Society for Nutrition

Since 2015, organizations have joined together as OCW Champions to change the way we care about the disease of obesity by creating a society that understands, respects and accepts the complexities of obesity and values science-based care.

Become an OCW Champion Today

OCW Partners

  • Novo Nordisk

  • Hitachi Healthcare

  • Eisai

  • FitForMe