Welcome to
Obecity, USA
A Public Health Advocacy Campaign
from Pennington Biomedical
Obecity, USA is a public health advocacy campaign developed by Pennington Biomedical to address the nation’s growing obesity epidemic head-on.
The campaign takes a visionary approach to not only raise awareness, but shift public perception, of obesity as a disease—dispelling the many myths that have long persisted, and arming individuals and communities with evidence-based research and the resources necessary to lead healthy lives.
There is far more to obesity than a person's weight.
A Message from the Guesser
Let Me Tell You What I Know*
*Using Evidence-Based Research from Pennington Biomedical - No Guessing
Obesity is a disease that affects over 115 million Americans. A national crisis driven by an epidemic that has spiraled out of control. Every community across the country is impacted by obesity. Over 300,000 Americans die of obesity-related causes every year. We cannot allow obesity to undermine the well-being of individuals and our nation.
When you have obesity and try to lose weight, your body is actually fighting you to keep it on. Your body sees the extra weight as something it should keep, so it increases your appetite, makes you hungry, and when you eat you feel less full. To defeat this cycle, special strategies are needed.
Eating right and losing weight can be difficult. To lose weight and keep it off, changes in lifestyle and daily habits are necessary. But long-term lifestyle changes require more than simply watching what one eats and how much one exercises. It requires changing one’s approach (thinking, feelings and actions) to eating and physical activity.
From obesity to hunger, underserved communities experience diet and health issues on both ends of the spectrum. With hundreds of common gene variants linked with obesity, some individuals are prone to developing obesity while others are resistant to weight gain.
No matter where you are in the US, obesity is everywhere you turn and affects every person you care about. It’s not just those directly impacted by obesity who live with the financial burden. The costs associated with this disease affect all of us, regardless of our age, race, health status, or geographic location.
Obesity is not about appearance or how you look.
Meet Ezra's parents and learn more about their family.
Meet Charlie's parents and learn more about his family.
Learn more about the Guesser's role in our stories.
See the impact of Ezra and Charlie's classmates.
Explore the Teacher's role in Obecity, USA.
Obesity is not a character flaw or a lack of self-control.
History of Obecity, USA
Learn about the history of Obecity, USA and take a look into the future
Drive-in restaurants and the spread of fast-food eateries
Rise of TV culture & car-based way of life
13.4% of adults have obesity
Rise of consumption culture
14.5% of adults and 5.5% of children have obesity
Increased consumption of fast food
15% of adults and 7% of children have obesity
Rise of computer culture
23.2% of adults and 10% of children have obesity
Rise of the internet
31.3% of adults and 15% of children have obesity
Rise of social media and gaming
35% of adults and 18% of children have obesity
Rise of sleep deprivation / hormonal change
42.4% of adults and 20% of children have obesity
Portion size: average US restaurant meal now 4x larger than in 1950s
50% of adults and 26.3% of children ages 5 - 9 have obesity
Obesity-related costs surpass $1.5 trillion a year, impacting every aspect of American life
It's up to us to create a healthier future!
No more blaming.
No more shaming.
Just honest conversation.
Road Improvements
Check Out the New Routes Available Today in Obecity, USA
Join the Movement
Join us in the fight to solve the obesity epidemic. Sign up to receive periodic updates from Obecity, USA and Pennington Biomedical, and we'll send you a free electronic copy of some of Charlie and Ezra's favorite recipes.
Pennington Biomedical
Working to Solve the Obesity Epidemic by
2040
Obesity is a disease that affects over 115 million Americans. A national crisis driven by an epidemic that has spiraled out of control. Every community across the country is impacted by obesity.
Together, let's take back control.
#GetFedUp
How We See it
Small Shifts
We believe the biggest advancements come not from big leaps, but from small steps—slight shifts in perspective, or changes in behavior. Things that may seem small now over time make a huge difference.
From the Scientists at Pennington Biomedical
Ready to Change the Story?
Are you looking for small shifts you can make that will impact your health? Here are a few suggestions drawn from evidence-based research at Pennington Biomedical. Start small and increase your activities over time.
About Pennington Biomedical
The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a world renowned health science research center located in Baton Rouge, LA.
All of Pennington Biomedical’s work—from basic science, to clinical trials, to treatment options including bariatric surgery—is guided by our mission to eliminate life-threatening health issues related to obesity and to help people live healthier, more fulfilling lives. We take a person-centric, holistic approach that spans education, prevention, treatment, and weight-loss maintenance. Our labs, including the Physical Activity and Ethnic Minority Health Laboratory, prioritize community-based and technology-based interventions to address health disparities.
Scientists and Physicians
Laboratories
Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to support Pennington Biomedical Research Center and its mission of discovering the triggers of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, cancer, and dementia through research and programs that improve human health across the lifespan. The foundation fundraises to support the innovative work being done by over 450 basic, clinical and population scientists, post-doctoral fellows, lab technicians, nurses, dietitians, and support personnel who create a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities.
“Obecity, USA” is a public health advocacy campaign developed to address the nation’s growing obesity epidemic head-on, courtesy of Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation, and its loyal and generous donors. The campaign takes a visionary approach to not only raise awareness but shift public perception of obesity as a disease—dispelling the many myths that have long persisted, and arming individuals and communities with evidence-based research and the resources necessary to lead healthy lives.
The Foundation seeks to connect with those who wish to invest in discovery with gifts of cash, stock or real estate, bequests and charitable remainder trusts, or corporate grants and sponsorship, with meaningful opportunities within the research enterprise.
