Support Groups and Patient Advocacy Organizations

The psychological and psychosocial effects of obesity on an individual are profound and deeply rooted. For these reasons, it is often necessary that overweight and obese people have a core network of support – people to turn to in times of need. For many, obesity may lower one’s self-esteem or lead to depression or anxiety. Choosing healthy eating, exercise and weight loss/managment may prevent and improve these feelings in social situations¹⁰⁷. A network of support is often made up of individuals who are themselves dealing with overweight or obesity, and who can provide a more personal perspective on obesity and its impact on one’s quality of life. In addition to obesity support groups, there are also obesity advocacy groups, which work on behalf of overweight and obese people to inform the public, media, Congress and other influencers about the effects of obesity.

Select Obesity Support Groups

America On the Move
Address: 150 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111
Fax: 617-636-2714
Website: http://www.americaonthemove.org/
Profile: America On the Move is a national initiative dedicated to helping individuals and communities across the nation make positive changes to improve their health and quality of life. By focusing on individuals and communities, America On the Move strives to support healthy eating, weight loss, and active living habits in society.

American Diabetes Association
Address: 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 800-DIABETES (800-342-2383)
Website: http://www.diabetes.org/
Profile: The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, they conduct diabetes-related programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching more than 800 communities. The mission of the organization is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

KidShape
Address: 8733 Beverly Blvd, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: (888) 600-6444
Website: http://www.kidshape.com/
Profile: KidShape^® Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on family-based pediatric weight loss and management to combat childhood (pediatric) obesity through a culturally sensitive curriculum that emphasizes healthy eating habits, positive health behavior changes, positive body image, and improved physical activity. KidShape^® Foundation aims to increase awareness and adoption of healthy eating habits in accordance with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid; increase participation in regular physical activity for weight maintenance and weight loss (at least three times a week for at least 30 continuous minutes); increase self-appreciation of positive aspects of each program participant and work with families to set realistic healthy living and weight loss goals and be rewarded for achieving those goals.

Overeaters Anonymous (OA)
Address: P.O. Box 44020, Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4020
Phone: (505) 891-2664
Fax: (505) 891-4320
Website: http://www.oa.org/
Profile: This is a fellowship of individuals who share their experience in overcoming compulsive overeating by holding support meetings worldwide. The group encourages members to partner with a healthcare professional and a sponsor to meet their recovery goals¹⁰⁸.

Adolescent Obesity Groups – Suburban Hospital Center
Address: 6410 Rockledge Drive, Suite 410, Bethesda, MD 20817
Phone: (301) 530-0676
Website: http://www.suburbanhospital.org/eating_disorders
Profile: Adolescent Obesity Groups educate patients about the physical and emotional consequences of childhood (pediatric) obesity and address issues related to obesity of social isolation and teasing. Patients develop healthy problem-solving skills and alternative coping tactics, in an environment safe for self-expression and exploration¹⁰⁹.

Methodist Weight Management Institute – Methodist Health System
Address: 1441 N. Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203
Phone: (214) 947-0004
Website: http://www.methodisthealthsystem.org/weightmgmt
Profile: The Methodist Weight Management Institute provides a multidisciplinary, professional approach to the health problems (Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, PCOS) associated with obesity. The Institute sponsors quarterly support group seminars on the Methodist Dallas Medical Center campus. Community-based support groups are also available¹¹⁰.

Select Support Groups for Those Considering Obesity Surgical Options

Coastal Center for Obesity
Address: Participating health centers (Orange, CA)
Phone: (888) 527-5222
Website: http://www.coastalobesity.com/
Profile: Support group meetings at the Center offer the opportunity for overweight and obese individuals to discuss their obesity surgical experience with other patients¹¹¹.

ObesitySolutions: Morbid Obesity Support Group & Information Lectures
Address: 1250 Jessee Jewell Parkway, Suite 300, Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: (770) 534-0110 or (877) 921-0110
Fax: (770) 534-2555
Website: http://www.obesitysolutions.com/
Profile: Postoperative gastric bypass (obesity) surgery patients are encouraged to attend monthly support group meetings in Gainesville that offer fellowship, support, and encouragement for post-op patients and often feature guest speakers¹¹².

Obesity Consult Center – Tufts-New England Medical Center
Address: 750 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111
Phone: (617) 636-0158
Website: http://www.obesityconsult.org/
Profile: The program at the Obesity Consult Center is unique among many worldwide. Founded in 1985, the program has achieved stunning results using a multidisciplinary approach to combating obesity that includes clinicians from many fields assisting with the care of obese patients. There is also an obesity support program specifically for men¹¹³.

Bariatric Surgery Program Support Group – Rush University Medical Center
Address: 1650 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 942-5000
Website: http://wwww.rush.edu/patients/surgery/bariatric/support.html
Profile: The Bariatric Surgery Program includes support group meetings as an integral part of obesity surgery treatment¹¹⁴.

Maimonides Medical Center – SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn
Address: 4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219
Phone: (718) 283-6000
Website: http://www.maimonidesmed.org/
Profile: Peer support groups for post-surgical patients of obesity surgery are a part of the Center’s patient outreach. Meetings include guest speakers, education and updates on nutrition, and self-care techniques.

Select Advocacy Organizations

The Endocrine Society
Address: 8401 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 900, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Phone: 301-941-0200
Fax: 301-941-0259
Website: http://www.endo-society.org/
Profile: The Endocrine Society is the world's largest and most active professional organization of endocrinologists. Founded in 1916, the Society is internationally known as the leading source of state-of-the art research and clinical advancements in endocrinology and metabolism. The Endocrine Society is dedicated to promoting excellence in research, education and clinical practice in the field of endocrinology.

The Hormone Foundation
Address: 8401 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 900, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Phone: 800-HORMONE
Website: http://www.hormone.org/
Profile: The Hormone Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization established by The Endocrine Society to serve as a resource for the public by promoting the prevention, treatment and cure of hormone-related conditions (hypothyroidism, thyroid disease, diabetes, obesity), and does so through public outreach and education. Through its public education campaigns, Website, forums, toll-free number and free publications, The Hormone Foundation is a leading source of hormone-related information for the public, physicians, allied health professionals and the media.

The North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO)
Address: 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 918, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301-563-6526
Fax: 301-563-6595
Website: http://www.naaso.org
Profile: NAASO is a scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity. Since 1982 NAASO has been committed to encouraging obesity research on the causes and treatment of obesity, and to keeping the medical community and public informed of new advances.

International Size Acceptance Association, Inc. (ISAA)
Address: P.O. Box 82126, Austin, TX 78758
Website: http://www.size-acceptance.org/
Profile: The ISAA, founded in 1997, is an international, non-profit, civil rights organization dedicated to promoting size acceptance and helping to end size (obesity) discrimination¹¹⁵. Within the U.S., ISAA has chapters in Georgia, Tennessee, California and Illinois and virtual chapters in New York and Texas.

International Obesity Task Force (IOTF)
Address: 231 North Gower Street, London NW1 2NS, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7691 1900
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7387 6033
Website: http://www.iotf.org/
Profile: As part of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, the IOTF is an international organization that collaborates with the World Health Organization to examine the global obesity epidemic. The organization maintains a commitment to informing the international community about obesity and works to influence governments to take decisive action regarding obesity management and treatment recommendations¹¹⁶.

Council on Size & Weight Discrimination
Address: P.O. Box 305, Mt. Marion, NY 12456
Phone: (845) 679-1209
Fax: (845) 679-1206
Website: http://www.cswd.org/
Email: info@cswd.org
Profile: This nonprofit group advocates for overweight and obesity, especially in the areas of medical treatment, job discrimination and obesity images portrayed in the media¹¹⁷.

National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA)
Address: P.O. Box 188620, Sacramento, CA 95818
Phone: (916) 558-6880
Fax: (916) 558-6881
Website: http://www.naafa.org/
Profile: Since 1969, this national nonprofit organization has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for overweight and obese people by working to eliminate (obesity) discrimination based on body size. The association maintains a commitment to providing these individuals with tools for self-empowerment. A list of local chapters can be found at http://www.naafa.org/¹¹⁸.

Partnership for Healthy Weight Management
Website: http://www.consumer.gov/weightloss/index.htm
Profile: This group is comprised of a coalition of representatives from the science, academia and healthcare fields, and government and commercial organizations, whose mission is to promote sound guidance on strategies for achieving weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight¹¹⁹.

Society for Nutrition Education (SNE)
Address: 7150 Winton Drive, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Phone: (317) 328-4627 or (800) 235-6690
Fax: (317) 280-8527
Website: http://www.sne.org/
Profile: SNE represents the professional interests of nutrition educators by educating and influencing policy makers about nutrition, food and health¹²⁰.