Obesity Australia Ltd.

The Obesity Collective, operating under the legal entity Obesity Australia Ltd, is the peak body for obesity in Australia. It functions as a national umbrella coalition dedicated to reducing the health and wellbeing impacts of obesity across the country. Established in 2018, the Collective was formed in response to the growing recognition that obesity is a complex systems challenge that is often misunderstood. It aims to transform how Australia thinks, speaks, and acts on obesity by fostering collaboration among a diverse network of experts, organisations, and people with lived experience.

Mission and Vision

The Collective’s vision is for an Australia where healthy communities prioritise health and wellbeing, and where weight and obesity are treated as collective responsibilities free from stigma and shame. Its mission is to work towards a whole-of-society response to obesity and to address weight stigma through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and research. The purpose is to transform societal narratives and actions regarding obesity.

Main Objectives

• Build a movement and shared understanding: Convene and connect members across sectors to increase community demand for a whole-of-society response.
• Change the narrative: Reduce weight stigma by increasing understanding of the science and shifting focus away from blaming individuals.
• Generate collective action and policy change: Support systems change and advocate for evidence-informed prevention and treatment initiatives, including a National Obesity Strategy and updated clinical guidelines.
• Support research and knowledge-sharing: Promote evidence-based projects, programs, and services related to obesity prevention and treatment.

Benefiting Groups

• People living with overweight or obesity, including those facing stigma and bias.
• Healthcare professionals and researchers working in obesity prevention and treatment.
• Community and consumer groups, including Indigenous organisations.
• Policy makers and public health advocates.
• The broader Australian society, through healthier environments and reduced obesity-related health burdens.

Services and Activities

• Creating a strong, cooperative, and inclusive network of over 900 members from diverse organisations nationwide.
• Raising awareness of the science and reality of obesity through communications, resources, and presentations.
• Advocating for systemic changes such as healthier environments, policy reforms, and equitable access to quality care.
• Collaborating with lived experience groups to amplify their voices in policy and public discourse.
• Supporting research initiatives to address gaps in obesity prevention and treatment systems.
• Hosting seminars, workshops, and events to share latest evidence and foster cross-sector collaboration.