TOS/OAC/TOPS Joint Symposium: Recognizing Weight Stigma as a Barrier to Health Care
When: Thursday, 11/3/2022, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: San Diego Convention Center-29ABCD
Description: Weight stigma remains a critical barrier that prevents patients with obesity from accessing and receiving high quality health care. This session will feature a patient’s perspective on how weight stigma affects health care interactions, followed by research on how weight stigma undermines access to care. Last, cutting-edge data will illuminate the long overlooked problem of weight stigma experienced by pregnant women, including in perinatal care settings. Speakers will provide insights into what can be done to eradicate stigma as a barrier to care for patients with obesity.

This session was jointly produced by The Obesity Society (TOS), Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), and Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS Club, Inc.).
Delivery Mechanism: Live In-Person
Keyword: Policy: Health Care; Policy: Stigma/Weight Bias; Treatment: Clinical Practice
Track: Sub-track: Eradicating Treatment Barriers; Sub-track: Obesity Medicine Exam Prep; Track 6: Policy/Public Health
Name Role Presentation
Robert F. Kushner, MD Chair Session Chair
Patricia Markby CME Session Speaker Weight Stigma in Health Care: A Patient's Perspective
Sean M. Phelan, PhD, MPH CME Session Speaker The Impact of Weight Stigma on Health Care Utilization
Angela C. Incollingo Rodriguez, PhD CME Session Speaker Weight Stigma and Pregnancy: Implications for Perinatal Care
Robert F. Kushner, MD Chair Moderate Q&A
Sean M. Phelan, PhD, MPH CME Session Speaker Panel Q&A
Angela C. Incollingo Rodriguez, PhD CME Session Speaker Panel Q&A
Patricia Markby CME Session Speaker Panel Q&A
Learning Objectives:
1. Apply the latest recommendations for evaluation and treatment; tailor intervention strategies based on patient characteristics such as age or metabolic or behavioral phenotype; understand the differences between weight loss and weight loss maintenance.
6. Incorporate knowledge about coding for reimbursement into the clinical practice of health care providers to support their ability to treat the underlying disease of overweight and obesity. Incorporate knowledge about best practices to develop and run effective clinics that treat overweight and obesity.