Four founding partners backed by 30 additional organizations have launched the Take 5 Challenge, prompting practitioners to address the epidemic obesity incidence in the U.S. by directly and supportively engaging affected patients for treatment options.
The Obesity Society, the Obesity Action Coalition, the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery developed the incentive collectively to help physicians open the door to discussion about weight and lifestyle with patients.
Additionally, the resource promotes information sharing among health care professionals to “expand the conversation,” including guidance for specific medical coding, specialist referrals and positive approaches.
National Obesity Care Week (NOCW) debuted in 2015 and recurs annually. Now, the Take 5 Challenge is striving to encourage dialog and nonjudgmental treatment for the often stigmatized condition, with an emphasis on health adjustments rather than simply viewing it as a weight loss issue.
“For too long, excess weight has been the source of stigma and bias, which has, at times, prevented patients from receiving the care that the disease of obesity often requires,” Francesca Dea, executive director at The Obesity Society and NOCW executive chair, said. “National Obesity Care Week shines a spotlight on the opportunities that health care professionals have to help patients achieve their overall weight management goals.”
“Take 5” represents five steps for family practitioners: take time to learn how to talk with patients; ask questions to start a conversation; know the reasons to address obesity; engage in conversations; and pass the challenge on to five more colleagues.
