Dear DOCTOR Owen:

I am 150 pounds overweight and seek a physician to help me. I have several medical problems and take a handful of medications every day. I am certain that I would improve and discontinue these medicines if I could only keep the weight off. My insurance does not pay for “obesity” treatment. The insurance company did say, however, that it might pay for obesity surgery, if I can get my doctors to recommend it. I really do not want to go that route. Why would they pay for surgery and not medical treatment? It seems that surgery would be more expensive.

Ignorant About Insurance

Dear “Ignorant”:

I can’t answer for your insurance company or any other business. However, I will give you the name of a group that is actively involved in this issue at the national level as well as in other aspects of obesity prejudice: the American Obesity Association (AOA). This non-profit organization is based in Washington, D.C. Most of the top names in obesity research are on the AOA management or advisory board.

The AOA was formed in 1995 by researchers and other clinicians who had been frustrated and ignored by private and government factions when seeking funding and support. Focused on education, community action, and research, the AOA is a political arm of the scientific and lay communities that want changes in our society’s attitude toward obesity. The first national convention was held in Washington during the summer of 1999. I wrote an article rebutting the media’s post-convention reactions, which blasted the convention and were generally discriminatory. The journalists focused on the character weakness of the obese who, they say, simply cannot under-eat—clearly underlining the deep prejudice that is built into this issue.

Another group, which was the first professional organization of scientists and clinicians to study issues related to diet and obesity, was formed in only 1993: the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO). Members have to be nominated and elected based on contributions to the field, and I joined in 1994. In spite of the fact that obesity has been named the nation’s most important changeable health problem by the Centers for Disease Control, good scientific approaches to the growing national problem of obesity are relatively few. Therefore, change must come from credible people at a grassroots level. You can help!

The mission statement of the AOA:

1. Educate the public about obesity and its role in causing illness and unnecessary deaths.
2. Help health professionals provide the best possible care for people with obesity.
3. Encourage efforts to prevent obesity—especially in children.
4. Advocate that insurance companies and third-party payers provide adequate coverage for obesity treatment and prevention.
5. Persuade government officials and legislators to fund more obesity research, and eliminate laws and policies that negatively affect people with this disease.
6. End social, economic, and legal discrimination against those who suffer from obesity.
7. Support research by universities and individual scientists through the AOA fundraising affiliate: the AOA Research Foundation.

The issues could not be stated more clearly. You need to become an activist for your own health. Join the AOA, along with interested loved ones, friends, your doctor, people you meet at local community meetings, and so on. Membership strength lies in the numbers. This is what makes a difference in government and our society when trying to change opinion.

The address and e-mail information are as follows:

American Obesity Association

Suite 300

1250 24th St. N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20037

Email membership@obesity.org

Email editor@obesity.org

This $15 contribution to the AOA and the support of loved ones and family may be the most important long-term investments you will ever make.