Spotlight On: Obesity Matters

Priti Chawla knows the pain that can come with weight bias and discrimination all too well. Growing up in India, she was often ridiculed for her body size.

“I was the chubbiest girl in my class,” she recalls. “My classmates had no filter. I was always the one who was never asked for a dance. The bias and discrimination was both implicit and explicit.”

As Chawla grew older, she continued to struggle with her weight and yo-yo dieting. In 1990, at age 31, she moved to Toronto with her family in search of opportunities and a better quality of life for her children, particularly focusing on their health and future prospects.

In Canada, she and her husband operated a public relations firm,  and Chawla went on to found a medical communications company, which focused on in-person medical education and engagement events with healthcare professionals.

But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, like most businesses and industries, Chawla’s company suffered.

“I had to ask myself: Do I just wallow in my fear and doubt or do I carve out a new path? I felt I had reached a stage in my life where I wanted to find more of a purpose,” she says.

RELATED: Everyday Health’s Survey and Special Report: Weight Loss Reframed

Chawla was involved with a local obesity nonprofit in Toronto and felt inspired by the community. She met others who, like her, were interested in creating a space where people living with obesity felt accepted and heard without any bias or stigma. With her experience in public relations and event planning, Chawla, together with three co-founders, created Obesity Matters in March 2021.

“I saw there were other organizations that are very focused on healthcare and research, but I thought to myself, What about the actual people?” she says. She wanted a group that would address her lived experience as well as that of her co-founders. “Acceptance, health, and happiness are our main priority,” Chawla says. “Our mission is to educate and empower this warm and wonderful community while reinforcing our needs.”

Their Goal

The overarching goal of Obesity Matters, which has approximately 22,000 members, is to empower those affected by obesity to advocate for the medical care and treatment they rightfully need.

“What we believe is that no matter your size, shape, or means, everyone deserves to be cared for with respect, understanding, and dignity,” Chawla says. The organization provides education and evidence-based resources to people who struggle with their weight, fosters a community for members to help drive change and improve their lives, and advocates for improved healthcare and resources.

Services They Provide

A major initiative of Obesity Matters is the OM Wellness Workshop Series. These expert-led monthly sessions are held on Zoom at no cost to those who register.

The workshops focus on weight management and embracing healthy lifestyle choices. Topics include nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, emotional eating, and self-love.

“We take a very holistic approach, but it’s very foundational, as well,” Chawla says. Each participant receives a comprehensive toolkit packed with resources, dietary plans, and actionable tips. On Obesity Matters’ website, resources include community forums, support groups, and articles featuring the latest science-based information about obesity.

Events

Obesity Matters also holds webinars and in-person events to foster community among members. The organization is based in Toronto but seeks to expand its presence in the United States, working with more U.S.-based experts and holding remote events that anyone in the world can attend. Check out the organization’s events page for updates.

Obesity Matters also has an annual summit called Your Health Matters, which aims to raise awareness around obesity care and help members take meaningful steps toward positive changes. This year’s summit will be on April 27. “It’s a hybrid event, so even though it’s going to be held in Toronto, we will have people sign up from across the globe,” Chawla says. “It’s a way to bring the community together, which is so important. When you try to make changes on your own, it can feel daunting, but when you bring a support system together, it always works better.”

Core Belief

“As a founder of Obesity Matters, I am driven by a commitment to fostering self-advocacy and transforming societal attitudes toward obesity,” Chawla says. “Despite the challenges ahead, our remarkable progress fuels my optimism. Our overarching vision is to eliminate the pervasiveness of weight stigma and forge a future in which every individual, regardless of their weight, can lead a life marked by dignity, respect, and well-being.”

Everyday Health‘s Weight Loss Reframed Survey queried 3,144 Americans nationwide ages 18 and older who have tried losing weight in the past six months. The study was fielded between July 10 and August 18, 2023, across demographic groups, genders, and health conditions. Survey recruitment took place via an online portal, in-app, and email. The margin of error for the sample size of 3,144 is +/-1.7 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.