The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) published its latest policy agenda, “Enacting Change to Improve Outcomes for Women Living with Obesity Across the Lifespan.” With insights gained from an interdisciplinary Obesity Policy Working Group of policy professionals, researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates who met in spring 2024, this policy agenda explores policy needs and opportunities in the health of women living with obesity and serves as a roadmap for stakeholders looking to improve outcomes for women 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,” a 2021 Journal of Mid-Life Health article writes.
Women experience obesity differently. Studies show that women who were overweight or living with mild obesity were perceived as having poorer physical health than men. Women also often face a higher burden of stigma due to their weight.
SWHR’s Obesity Policy Agenda aims to address these challenges across five areas:
- Research Gaps and Opportunities
- Clinical Care
- Coverage and Access
- Education and Awareness
- Societal Drivers and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
Each section identifies overarching themes that impact the lives of women living with obesity and offers recommendations for policymakers and other health care stakeholders that can help close the gender gap for this chronic disease.
Understanding that a significant amount of obesity care and well-being is complicated by the reality of weight stigmatization and weight bias both across society and within individuals, SWHR also created a social media toolkit to accompany the policy agenda. Call for a Change to Improve Outcomes for Women Living with Obesity aims to help open up the conversation about obesity care for women and explore how we can all play a role in breaking down stigma around weight to improve overall health for women – and all individuals – as they age.
These two resources build on SWHR’s obesity program and work, which has continued through several event appearances this fall: SWHR CEO Katie Schubert joined several prominent women’s health leaders from American Medical Women’s Association, National Council on Aging, and others on Capitol Hill to discuss the urgent need for Congress to pass Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) and protect access to obesity care; SWHR Public Policy and Advocacy Manger Madelyn Adams attended a bone health and obesity coverage event hosted by the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation, which discussed the connection between osteoporosis and obesity and policy solutions for improving patient access to care ; SWHR Development Manager Emma Bixler attended the National Obesity Policy Forum hosted by the American Diabetes Association, Obesity Action Coalition, and Obesity Care Action Network to learn about the latest developments in obesity care, treatment, and prevention from leading organizations in the field.
Women have carried the burden of weight stigma and insufficient obesity care for too long. Each of these resources and events provide a valuable look at how we can close and even one day eliminate the gender health gap for women living with obesity. Check out SWHR’s obesity focus area page to learn more.