Home - Obesity Matters

“Strong communities are born out of
individuals being their best selves.”

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

Canadian indigenous writer

Our Mission

We are a not-for-profit whose Mission is to bring Hope and Empower People affected by Obesity through Education, Community and Advocacy.

What We Stand For

We believe our “ideal” weight is not an absolute number on a scale but rather a weight which does not impair our health or negatively impact our quality of life.
We understand that the concept of “eat less and move more” is not enough; there’s a lot more involved in losing weight and keeping it off than simply willpower.
We believe that no matter your size, shape or means, we all deserve to be cared for with respect, understanding and dignity… with everyone having equal access to medical treatments and therapies.

Together, we can make a difference.

Become a member at no cost and together let us Inspire Hope through Action

Our Three Drivers For Action

Education

During these unprecedented times, Obesity Matters strives to be a beacon of hope, knowledge and evidence-based resource for those living with overweight and obesity.

Learn more about Education

Community

A community is only as strong as its members, and when we engage, support and join forces we can drive change and improve the lives of people living with obesity.

Learn more about our Community

Advocacy

Your experiences in managing overweight and obesity matter. Connect with us to share your story and inspire hope, to help us advocate for improved health resources for our community.

Learn more about Advocacy

Priti Chawla Executive Director

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello and thank you for visiting Obesity Matters (OM)

We started OM to primarily serve individuals and their loved ones living with or affected by obesity to take action towards a better future for themselves and their communities.

Our objectives are to:

Empower people living with or affected by obesity, to self-advocate for medical care and therapies they deserve.

Read full Message

Priti Chawla

Executive Director

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello and thank you for visiting Obesity Matters (OM)

We started OM to primarily serve individuals and their loved ones living with or affected by obesity to take action towards a better future for themselves and their communities.

Our objectives are to:

Empower people living with or affected by obesity, to self-advocate for medical care and therapies they deserve.
Rid our society of false prejudices and help gain acceptance for success at any size or shape.
Address the prevalence of childhood obesity and the urgency to act now to improve the welfare of our children and youth.
Drive policy change so that obesity will be identified as a chronic disease with access to evidence-based treatments.

With this integrative community approach, we hope to advance patient care and well-being through evidence-based education, community and advocacy.

Why am I so passionate about obesity and the cause? Having grown up in India, I was one of the ‘chubbier’ girls in school and was victim to bias and discrimination from students and teachers alike. I went on strict diets and exercise routines. Needless to say, this didn’t last, and I regained the weight. This was frustrating and affected my self-esteem, which I struggle with to this day.

By educating myself over the years, I learned that intense diets don’t work, weight management isn’t about ‘willpower’, and most importantly, my self-worth isn’t determined by the scale. Along my journey, I learned that food was not my enemy and making nutritious food delicious was a winning combination. Lasting change came from personalized information, support from friends and family and developing skills and routines which eventually became healthy lifestyle habits that are rewarding and satisfying.

Obesity Matters is a movement and I hope you’ll join us as we change the conversation on obesity to make it focused on positivity, respect and empowerment.

You can reach me at: priti@obesity-matters.com

Join the movement

Your generous contribution to Obesity Matters will help us fight back against the obesity epidemic.

Get involved

Testimonials

"A very good general review for me. Working at keeping on track means regular reinforcement and up-dating of information/perspectives/attitudes etc. Without much by way of local support where I live, it's great to tap into a wider group."

Participant: Eat Better Live Better

"I felt welcome, accepted and included. Some of the words from the speakers gave me tears of joy. Please continue to do public education to end fat/weight biases and prejudices."
- Jennifer

Participant: Your Health Matters

"I have said it before, and I will say it again, I have learned more about managing this disease in your programs than I have through years of being through the health care system."
-Rachelle

Participant: VALUES – The Key to Maintaining Motivation Over the Long Term

"I have very much appreciated the quality of these sessions and the resource people brought to us - broadly - across the country-and beyond. Many of us have no or little local access to the cutting edge of obesity medicine practice. Obesity Matters and its clear commitment to a wide audience makes a difference that I am deeply grateful for in an otherwise isolated/isolating environment."

Participant Eat, Play, Love

"The positive messages from inspiring athletes was helpful. Fat shaming and bullying, both are issues. Students need to learn to be healthy for the right reasons. Thank you! This is important work!"

School Educator for Raptors 905 Exercise Kindness Program

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Obesity Matters (OM) is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of the organization. OM is an equal opportunity organization that welcomes membership and participation from all people regardless of size, shape, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, group, age, ability, religion or experience. As we advance our mission to end stigma and create a future of weight acceptance, we believe it is critical to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as a way to intentionally make space for positive outcomes to flourish.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just words, they are the core principles that guide our every action, and it is our promise to uphold these standards with every partner, collaboration and endeavour.

WELCOME TO OBESITY MATTERS

Our Vision is to create a future of weight acceptance, where health and happiness are a priority

“Strong communities are born out of
individuals being their best selves.”

Our Mission

What We Stand For

Together, we can make a difference.

Our Three Drivers For Action

Education

Community

Advocacy

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello and thank you for visiting Obesity Matters (OM)

Join the movement

Testimonials

"A very good general review for me. Working at keeping on track means regular reinforcement and up-dating of information/perspectives/attitudes etc. Without much by way of local support where I live, it's great to tap into a wider group."

"I felt welcome, accepted and included. Some of the words from the speakers gave me tears of joy. Please continue to do public education to end fat/weight biases and prejudices."
- Jennifer

"I have said it before, and I will say it again, I have learned more about managing this disease in your programs than I have through years of being through the health care system."
-Rachelle

"The positive messages from inspiring athletes was helpful. Fat shaming and bullying, both are issues. Students need to learn to be healthy for the right reasons. Thank you! This is important work!"

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Obesity Matters is proudly partnered with

Corporate partnerships

VOLUNTEER

Local programs & events

Share your story

WELCOME TO OBESITY MATTERS

Our Vision is to create a future of weight acceptance, where health and happiness are a priority

“Strong com­mu­ni­ties are born out of indi­vid­u­als being their best selves.”

Our Mission

What We Stand For

Together, we can make a difference.

Our Three Drivers For Action

Education

Community

Advocacy

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello and thank you for visiting Obesity Matters (OM)

Join the movement

Testimonials

"A very good general review for me. Working at keeping on track means regular reinforcement and up-dating of information/perspectives/attitudes etc. Without much by way of local support where I live, it's great to tap into a wider group."

"I felt welcome, accepted and included. Some of the words from the speakers gave me tears of joy. Please continue to do public education to end fat/weight biases and prejudices." - Jennifer

"I have said it before, and I will say it again, I have learned more about managing this disease in your programs than I have through years of being through the health care system." -Rachelle

"The positive messages from inspiring athletes was helpful. Fat shaming and bullying, both are issues. Students need to learn to be healthy for the right reasons. Thank you! This is important work!"

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Obesity Matters is proudly partnered with

Check out our latest event

“Strong communities are born out of
individuals being their best selves.”

"I felt welcome, accepted and included. Some of the words from the speakers gave me tears of joy. Please continue to do public education to end fat/weight biases and prejudices."
- Jennifer

"I have said it before, and I will say it again, I have learned more about managing this disease in your programs than I have through years of being through the health care system."
-Rachelle