An Interview with James Zervios and the Obesity Action Coalition

James Zervios is OAC’s Vice President for Communications and Marketing

1. What is your organization’s interest in the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance?

As obesity currently impacts more than 90 million adults nationwide, it is imperative that we recognize obesity, and its related conditions, such as osteoarthritis, when treating the disease. The OAC finds great value in aligning with key stakeholder organizations that are furthering the quality of life for the individual affected by obesity. The OAA/OAC relationship has been excellent in that we’ve been able to learn more about obesity’s impact on osteoarthritis and how we can work together to help people impacted by both diseases. Oftentimes, obesity is ignored and the related conditions are mainly treated; however, the Alliance sees the value in also addressing the obesity in patients, and this is very important to us.

2. What do you think is the most important issue today related to osteoarthritis?

For the OAC, the most important issue related to osteoarthritis would have to be the education surrounding it. In obesity, we often find that people are preyed upon by “quick-fix” treatments that are not scientifically-based and often promise results that are beyond normal expectation. While osteoarthritis is well known in the medical community, we feel that there is still a great amount of education to be done in the obesity community to help patients understand osteoarthritis and how their weight impacts it.

3. How does your work connect to issues in osteoarthritis?

Individuals affected by obesity often experience osteoarthritis. For the first time, we are now educating patients on how their body weight is impacting their skeletal system and what they can do to help improve their weight and overall health. The OAC’s work in increasing access to obesity treatments indirectly helps those with osteoarthritis, as it provides them with more options to address their weight and overall health.

4. What is a headline you’d like to see about osteoarthritis in five years?

I think it’s the same headline that we’d like to see for obesity in that individuals are no longer battling this disease and have full access to all science-based treatments and most importantly, are no longer targets of weight bias and stigma. Weight bias in healthcare is often one of the most prevalent issues individuals face, and why people with obesity do not seek medical treatment for their weight. Often times, this leads to continued weight gain and the onset of additional obesity-related conditions, such as osteoarthritis.

5. What is one interesting fact you’d like people to know about your organization?

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is a more than 58,000 member-strong 501(c)(3) National non-profit organization dedicated to giving a voice to the individual affected by the disease of obesity and helping individuals along their journey toward better health through education, advocacy and support. Our core focuses are to raise awareness and improve access to the prevention and treatment of obesity, provide evidence-based education on obesity and its treatments, fight to eliminate weight bias and discrimination, elevate the conversation of weight and its impact on health and offer a community of support for the individual affected.