Reach America's Employers—Sign the Petition Today

Obesity is a chronic disease with a significant impact on women in many aspects of their lives, including in the workplace. When coverage for obesity care isn't available, patients are left to seek less safe alternatives or forego treatment altogether. But employers are uniquely positioned to support their employees living with obesity.

As a person in the workforce, I know how important health coverage is to making sure I can live the healthiest life possible and thrive—both at work and beyond. That is why I am calling on my employer—and employers everywhere—to embrace the following principles in their workplace healthcare and equity strategies:

1. Recognize obesity as a chronic disease with causes that include those outside of an individual's control.

This includes an understanding of the ways obesity affects women—and particularly women of color—disproportionately, and the impact the disease has on all aspects of employee well-being, including physical, social and financial considerations.

2. Review benefits offerings for opportunities to better support obesity care for employees and communicate coverage as a priority to benefits administrators.

Coverage for obesity care that is comprehensive should include four pillars: medical nutrition therapy, intensive behavioral therapy, FDA-approved medications and bariatric surgery.

3. Work against weight bias at every level of the company and make sure that this is demonstrated through the company's culture.

Some strategies to address weight stigma include educating employees about weight bias; using person-first, inclusive language; establishing an employee resource group (ERG); and providing reasonable accommodations for employees living with obesity (e.g., telework and sick leave policies).

Together, we can ensure that everybody living with obesity has coverage for care to protect their health—it's only fair.