Welcome to Obesity Matters

We are a non-profit organization whose mission is to Elevate and Empower Canadians living with obesity!

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

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

Canadian indigenous writer


It takes time to create change.

Our Mission

As a Non-Profit solely addressing the issues of obesity through education, community support and advocacy, Obesity Matters is elevating and empowering Canadians affected by obesity.

  • Test kist
  • list
  • List

Together, we can make a difference.

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

MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER

Hello and thank you for visiting Obesity Matters (OA)

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

Our objectives are to:

  • Power Canadians living in larger bodies to self-advocate for medical care and therapies they deserve.

Obesity Matters is proudly partnered with

Building a safe community that redefines success

Education

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquat enim.

Community

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquat enim.

Advocacy

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquat enim.

By becoming a member of Obesity Matters you can:

  • Get educated on the latest science-based information about obesity.
  • Find ongoing support through community forums, by sharing your story and connecting with others who have similar goals and challenges.
  • Gain access to obesity certified healthcare providers
  • Take action on important issues and help change the world for people living with obesity.2

Executive Leadership Team

We are a group of people with common experiences and concerns. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for communities across Canada to share personal feelings, experiences, coping strategies, and offer support so they can take action and seek the help they deserve.

Priti Chawla

Board & Executive Director, Secretary & Treasurer

View Profile

Test

Test content in the center

Test

Join our community and let us support you to change:

  • How you talk to yourself: Drop the shame and blame.
  • How you talk to your family & community: Advocate for the end of weight bias and stigma associated with obesity. Dispel myths.
  • How you talk to your doctor: Empower yourself to ask for evidence-based treatment options.

Stories

People in the Obesity Matters Community have powerful stories about their experiences with obesity. We know that sharing those stories with the world, and giving people a chance to express themselves, can bring about education, advocacy, support and awareness. Stories humanize the disease of obesity and remind us that at the heart of it, individual lives are affected.

I’ve Been Healed From The Inside Out

by Tanya Bender

A little bit about my journey, I’m sure it seems very familiar to anyone struggling with the extra weight they are carrying, both physically and mentally. 

Read story
I played into the idea that your worth is tied to a number on a scale

by Rachel Atkins

Rachel Atkins is the director of strategy at Obesity Matters , where she works to leverage her own experiences — in business and body image – to transform communities, institutions and society to better the lives of Canadians living in larger bodies. She is an advocate for those have been on a similar journey, and her hope is that more can follow the path of positivity and self-love. This is her story.

Read story
Opinion: I wasn’t born big

by Priti Chawla

Intense diets don’t work, weight management isn’t about ‘willpower,’ and your self-worth isn’t determined by the scale, writes Obesity Matters' Priti Chawla.

Read story
The Therapist Who Didn’t Even Know He Had An Eating Disorder

by Brian Baumal

It took another five years, until August 2012, for  me to understand what was happening to me, and to address the underlying psychological issues that caused this drastic weight cycling! And throughout much of this time, I was a psychotherapist, who ought to have known better,  or at least I thought I should have known better.

Read story
Quotes

Test

Author

Position

Blog / Community News

An Organization Changing Attitudes About Obesity in Canada

Chawla sees the mission of Obesity Matters as filling the gaps in patient care around obesity. Beyond offering information about …

Read more
Rachel’s Corner

Something I Heard: All this hype about weight loss medications can make it challenging to navigate the right path for …

Read more
Binge eating and ‘almond mothers’: Why the disorder is not about food

Dietitian Julie Mai says many Gen Zs who grew up with fad-dieting mothers have been left with shame around enjoying …

Read more

Latest programs & events

December 7, 2023

Beyond Bias: Advancing Obesity Treatment Coverage for Enhanced Patient Care

Obesity Matters in partnership with Mapol Inc., cordially invites you to a complimentary webinar on Thursday, December 7, 2023, from …

Read more

The Obesity Matters (OM) Wellness Workshop Series

Unlock the Secrets to a Healthier You! 🌟 In today’s fast-paced world, the number of people struggling with overweight and …

Read more

Your Health Matters Summit: Changing Perspectives, One Event at a Time

World Obesity Day is a global event that aims to raise awareness and take positive steps towards meaningful change. Obesity …

Read more

Applying VALUES for Sustainable Weight Management

The event was a great opportunity to bring the community together for a night of learning, compassion, reflection, and uplifting …

Read more