Lived experience – the barriers we face to access treatments for obesity

The Obesity & Weight Management Alliance Conference continued with a powerful session from Sarah Le Brocq, who shared her personal journey of living with obesity and the barriers to accessing treatment.

Reflecting on her experience, Sarah spoke about starting restrictive dieting at just 16 years old and the frustrations she has faced in securing treatment and support. She highlighted major challenges in accessing obesity medications, despite their availability, due to issues with service setup, funding, and provision.

Sarah also addressed the stigma surrounding obesity, both in healthcare and society, and how it contributes to health inequalities. She called for a change in the narrative, advocating for more specialist services and better access to treatment.

In addition, she provided guidance for healthcare professionals on how to approach conversations about weight in a compassionate and supportive way, reinforcing the need to end weight-related stigma.

Her talk resonated strongly with the audience, sparking important discussions on improving care and breaking down barriers for people living with obesity.