SWHR Policy Agenda: Enacting Change to Improve Outcomes for Women Living with Obesity Across the Lifespan

POLICY ENGAGEMENT, CALL TO ACTION

Published 10/15/24

Obesity is a chronic disease that can be caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, physical inactivity, excessive caloric intake, medical conditions, insufficient sleep, certain therapeutic drugs like antidepressants, socioeconomic status, stress, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, among others.

Presently, approximately 35% of adults in the United States are living with obesity.

While there is no significant difference in obesity prevalence between men and women, “women are at higher risk for developing obesity-related physical and psychological comorbidities and have a twofold higher mortality risk than overweight men,” studies show.

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) created the SWHR Policy Agenda: Enacting Change to Improve Outcomes for Women Living with Obesity Across the Lifespan to explore policy needs and opportunities in the health of women living with obesity.

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This material was created by the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) and is intended to serve as a public educational and informative resource. This material may be cited or shared on external channels, websites, and blogs, with attribution given to SWHR, or printed and displayed in its original formatted version. SWHR encourages the sharing and reposting of its content in order to spread awareness around women’s health issues. For specific questions about sharing SWHR content, please reach out to communications@swhr.org. 

This policy agenda is part of SWHR’s Obesity Program, which is supported by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk.